Donation racket alleged at Madhya Pradesh temple, probe ordered

The Madhya Pradesh authorities have formed an investigation committee to probe an alleged ‘parallel donation’ racket, fraud, and financial irregularities that have come to light at the famous Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Agar Malwa district’s Nalkheda, officials said. 

The temple is managed by a government committee. It is alleged that a parallel ‘unauthorised committee’ was operating in the temple premises, accepting donations made in cash 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, on July 7, 2026, formed a three-member committee headed by the zila panchayat CEO B. S. Solanki. The report is to be submitted within seven days. 

According to Ms. Yadav’s order, complaints have been received of financial irregularities by a non-governmental committee, which was allegedly collecting donations separately from the official committee and using private bank accounts. 

The probe committee has been tasked with probing the amount of cash and jewellery received by unauthorised persons, and whether any employee or official of the temple administration was involved in the alleged fraud. 

The amount of fraud is yet to be calculated, the authorities said. “It could be a significant amount since it looks like an organised racket with receipts and counters. Due to this, they also succeeded in collecting jewellery as donation,” an official of the district administration told The Hindu.  

The issue had come to his knowledge on July 7, 2026 Culture Minister (independent charge) Dharmendra Singh Lodhi said, following which his office had issued directions to the District Collector. 

“Some people, who have no relation to the Baglamukhi Temple administration, are illegally taking money by getting receipts printed in the name of the temple. Anyone who is involved in this act will not be spared. The government will take strictest action against them,” Mr. Lodhi told reporters. 

All State-administered temples are audited from time to time, Mr. Lodhi said, adding that directions were now issued to conduct such audits every three months. The State government was planning to introduce a digital donation system at temples to ensure greater transparency in donations. 

Mr. Lodhi, however, did not reveal how long the alleged donation racket had persisted. It would be revealed by the probe, he said. 

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

“Under the BJP’s governance, now even God’s treasury is no longer safe. First, Champat Rai took the donations from Ayodhya Ram Temple and vanished, and now a case of irregularities in the management of gold-silver jewellery, and offerings has surfaced at the Maa Baglamukhi Temple,” he said. 

“The way temples are being looted under the BJP government, it instils fear that the next target might be the Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple. Even earlier, there was a case of cash and jewellery going missing from the Raja Ram Sarkar Temple in Orchha. Even after nine years, no clue has been found. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ji, why are you silent? In which direction is your government’s investigation heading? Will this case also be buried like other files, or will there be action against the culprits?” the Congress leader said.