Alleged donation racket in Madhya Pradesh temple, probe ordered

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Madhya Pradesh authorities have formed an inquiry committee to probe the alleged “parallel donation”, fraud and financial irregularities that came to light at the famous Maa Baglamukhi temple in Agar Malwa Nalkheda district, officials said.

The temple is managed by a government committee. It is alleged that a parallel “unauthorized committee” was operating in the temple premises, accepting financial donations and valuable ornaments by issuing fake receipts.

Amid the ongoing controversy over the theft of donations to the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Congress is taking up the issue with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

District Collector Preeti Yadav constituted a three-member committee headed by zila panchayat CEO BS Solanki on July 7, 2026. The report is to be submitted within seven days.

At Ms Yadav’s behest, an NGO commission received complaints of financial irregularities, allegedly collecting donations separately from the official commission and using private bank accounts.

The inquiry committee has been tasked to examine the amount of cash and jewelery received by unauthorized persons and whether any employee or official of the temple administration was involved in the alleged fraud.

The amount of the fraud has not yet been calculated, authorities said. “It could be a substantial amount as it looks like an organized racket with receipts and counters. Due to this, they also managed to collect the jewelery as donation,” a district administration official told The Hindu.

On 7 July 2026, Culture Minister (Independent Charge) Dharmendra Singh Lodhi came to know about the issue, after which his office issued instructions to the District Collector.

“Some people who have nothing to do with the management of Baglamukhi temple are illegally taking money by getting receipts printed in the name of the temple. No one involved in this act will be spared. The government will take strictest action against them,” Mr. Lodhi told reporters.

All state-run temples are audited from time to time, Mr. Lodhi said, adding that instructions have now been issued to conduct such audits every three months. The state government has planned to introduce a digital donation system in temples to ensure greater transparency in donations.

However, Mr. Lodhi did not reveal how long the alleged donation continued. A probe would reveal that, he said.

Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Umang Singhar targeted the BJP government. “It (BJP) talks about Hindus but is unable to protect their temples,” Mr. Singhar said.

“Even God’s treasury is no longer safe under BJP rule. First Champat Rai took donations from Ayodhya Ram temple and disappeared and now there is a case of irregularities in the management of gold-silver jewelery and offerings in Maa Baglamukhi temple,” he said.

“The pattern of looting of temples under the BJP government raises fears that the Ujjain Mahakaleshwar temple could be the next target. Even earlier there was a case of disappearance of cash and jewelery from the Raja Ram Sarkar temple in Orchha. Even after nine years, no trace has been found. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ji, which direction are you taking the investigation too? files or will action be taken against the culprits?” the Congress leader said.

Published – 8 Jul 2026 23:07 IST