Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Siddhivinayak Temple Names New Executive Officer Amid Donation Controversy
A famous temple in Mumbai called Siddhivinayak receives a lot of money from people who visit.
Some people said that much of this money was being taken away wrongly.
A leader named Raj Thackeray said about 18 crore rupees disappear every year.
The big leader of the state, Devendra Fadnavis, asked for an investigation.
A new officer, Rakhi Chavan, was chosen to look after the temple's money and work.
She started her new job on Thursday, August 13.
Earlier, in March, a worker was caught taking money from a donation box.
The temple is also getting a makeover, so one of its doors will be closed from August 17.
Visitors can still go in through another door for darshan.
Everyone hopes the temple will manage its money fairly again.
Rakhi Chavan assumed charge as Executive Officer of the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust on August 13.
Her appointment follows the government's decision to replace Veena More-Patil, who faced allegations related to temple administration.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray alleged around Rs 18 crore was siphoned annually from temple donation collections.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe, while Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed Additional Chief Secretary Aseem Gupta to conduct an inquiry into donations and accounts.
The temple's Siddhi entrance will be temporarily closed to devotees from August 17 for ongoing beautification and redevelopment work.
In March, Dadar Police arrested a temple employee for allegedly stealing around Rs 10,000 from donation boxes.
- Who
- Rakhi Chavan, newly appointed Executive Officer of the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust, replacing Veena More-Patil.
- What
- Chavan assumed charge amid government scrutiny over alleged misappropriation of devotees' donations and a related probe ordered by the Chief Minister.
- When
- Thursday, August 13, 2026.
- Where
- Mumbai, at the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple.
- Why
- Following allegations by Raj Thackeray that around Rs 18 crore was siphoned annually from donation collections and an earlier theft case in March.
- New Executive Officer
- Rakhi Chavan
- Former Executive Officer
- Veena More-Patil
- Alleged annual donation loss
- Around Rs 18 crore (alleged by Raj Thackeray)
- Probe ordered by
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
- Inquiry directed by
- Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to Additional Chief Secretary Aseem Gupta
- Earlier theft case
- March 2026, temple employee arrested, around Rs 10,000 stolen from donation boxes
- Siddhi entrance closure
- Temporarily closed from August 17 for beautification work
- Beautification project inauguration
- May 25, attended by CM, Deputy CM, and Mumbai Mayor