🚨 Temple Trust Shocked: Worker Arrested for Stealing from Donation Boxes at Siddhivinayak Temple

Mumbai: In a disturbing incident that has raised serious concerns over security and trust, a 57-year-old temple worker has been arrested for allegedly stealing money from donation boxes at the renowned Siddhivinayak Temple.

According to officials, the accused—identified as Rajendra Pendurkar—was taken into custody by the Dadar Police following a complaint filed by temple authorities.

The alleged theft took place inside the pujari room of the temple, where donation boxes are kept. Suspicion arose after irregularities were noticed, prompting officials to review CCTV footage. The recordings reportedly revealed the accused repeatedly extracting currency notes from the boxes.

In one instance, he was seen using his fingers to pull out cash from a donation box kept inside the priest’s chamber, as mentioned in the FIR.

Preliminary estimates suggest that at least ₹10,000 has been stolen. However, authorities believe the amount could be higher, and investigations are currently underway to determine whether such thefts had been occurring over a longer period.

Police are also probing the possibility of involvement of other staff members, if any, in the incident.

Temple authorities have taken the matter seriously, emphasizing the need for stricter monitoring and security within the premises to prevent such breaches in the future.

The incident has not only shocked devotees but also highlighted the urgent need for tighter vigilance even in highly revered religious institutions.