CID reports focus on temples' funds fraud

PUNE: The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has prepared two separate reports detailing the alleged misappropriation of donations by government officials and politicians looking after the functioning of two prominent temples in the state - Tuljabhavani temple in Tuljapur in Osmanabad and the Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur.

A senior CID officer told TOI that the department had conducted an independent inquiry into the allegations after receiving orders from the state government and Bombay high court. Revenue officials of Osmanabad and Kolhapur look after the daily functioning of both the temples.

Thousands of devotees visit Kolhapur, one of the 51 Shakti Peeths, and Tuljapur daily and make offerings in the form of gold, silver, costly saris and cash in the donation boxes at these temples.

The CID officer, on the condition of anonymity, said many persons and organizations had complained about suspicious activities of the bureaucrats and politicians looking after the functioning of both temples, especially the Tuljabhavani temple.

It was claimed that tehsildars and collectors, working as trustees of the temples, had allegedly overlooked the siphoning of gold, silver and cash from both temples. The CID has employed an auditor.

The officer said in the last 10 to 12 years, many officials were entrusted with the responsibilities of trusteeship when they were transferred to Kolhapur and Osmanabad as collectors or tehsildars.

"We have recorded their statements, but they have given different reasons for not submitting their statements. We have told the government to issue suitable directions to them," the officer added.

The reports of both the temples and siphoning of valuables are ready but have not been submitted to the state government as of now. "We will submit the reports in two days," the officer said.