Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe into the alleged theft of Rs 18 crore annually from the donation collections of Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple.

MUMBAI: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday ordered a probe into the alleged theft of Rs 18 crore annually from the donation collections of Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple.He directed officials to examine the temple’s donation records for the past five years and investigate any significant changes in collections during the period.“The CM has asked officials to submit the probe report at the earliest. If anyone is found guilty, action will be taken against them,” a senior official said.On Wednesday, following allegations of theft from Siddhivinayak Temple donations, DCM Eknath Shinde had ordered a probe into the temple accounts. Shinde had asked additional chief secretary (ACS) Aseem Gupta to conduct an inquiry and submit a report.Shinde’s order comes days after the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust called for an audit into the increase in the donation amount to the temple in the last two years. The temple trust is regulated by the state law and judiciary department headed by CM Devendra Fadnavis.“DCM Eknath Shinde has asked ACS Aseem Gupta to conduct the probe and submit a report on the allegations of deficit in donations. The probe is likely to be carried out by a joint committee of the law and judiciary and urban development department officials,” said a senior official.Last week, MNS chief Raj Thackeray alleged donations worth Rs 18 crore were being siphoned every year at the temple.