Shinde alleges donation irregularities at Siddhivinayak Temple, targets MVA

Eknath Shinde claimed those questioning the Ram Temple issue remained silent when the Siddhivinayak temple's donation box was allegedly looted.

MUMBAI: Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde on Friday triggered a political row in the legislative council by alleging irregularities in the handling of donations at Mumbai's Shri Siddhivinayak Temple during the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi regime, while countering opposition criticism over the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case. Without naming former Siddhivinayak Trust chairman Aadesh Bandekar, Shinde claimed those questioning the Ram Temple issue remained silent when the temple's donation box was allegedly looted. Waving what he described as documentary evidence, he asked why no probe was ordered then. Responding later, Bandekar rejected the allegations, saying his tenure ended three years ago and that the temple's executive and finance officers are appointed by the state government. He said any proven irregularity should be made public and investigated. "If I am found guilty, hang me in front of the temple. But don't level false allegations," Bandekar said, while demanding a fair inquiry into any alleged wrongdoing. A major controversy erupted in the first week of June after alleged irregularities were detected in the counting of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The Uttar Pradesh government constituted an SIT following the recommendation of the trust. The SIT found prima facie evidence of embezzlement, following which an FIR was registered and eight people associated with the temple's donation-counting were arrested.