Ayodhya Ram Mandir-like donation scam surfaces at Baglamukhi Temple:Private committee collected donations for 3 years; officials failed to take any action

After the donation theft controversy surrounding the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, a similar row has now surfaced at the Baglamukhi Temple in Nalkheda, Agar Malwa district. Following a complaint, Agar Malwa Collector Preeti Yadav has constituted a three-member inquiry committee, which has been asked to submit its report within seven days. The probe will examine whether any financial irregularities occurred, how they were carried out, and the extent of the alleged misappropriation. A ground investigation by Dainik Bhaskar found that the committee at the center of the controversy was allegedly formed in violation of rules and had been collecting donations from devotees for nearly three years without any action from government officials. Private committee allegedly operated alongside official temple committee The Baglamukhi Temple is managed by an official government temple management committee, headed ex-officio by the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). Despite the existence of this statutory body, a private committee named Nalkheda Sudarshan Seva Samiti was allegedly formed in 2024 with the alleged support of officials. The committee reportedly consists of five private members, who began issuing their own receipts to devotees in exchange for donations. According to the allegations, while silver donations were used for temple beautification, cash donations were deposited into private bank accounts, even though the temple is government-owned. No record of several donations Temple premises contain seven commemorative plaques listing the names of 170 devotees who donated silver. However, there is no official record of donations received after that period, either at the temple or with the district administration. Officials have also questioned why the private committee continued operating despite the presence of the official management committee. Successive officials allegedly took no action At the time the private committee was formed, Milind Dhoke was serving as SDM. According to the report, the committee was established during his tenure, but no action was taken against it. Dhoke himself is reportedly listed on a plaque as having donated 1 kilogram of silver. Subsequent SDMs Sarvesh Yadav and Kamal Mandloi also allegedly did not intervene. The committee has reportedly never undergone an audit. Committee members, however, claim that it was constituted under the supervision of the then SDM and was duly registered. Committee formed for ‘silver beautification’ Copies of receipts obtained during the investigation describe the committee’s objective as “Silver Beautification” of the temple. According to the receipts, silver cladding work has been carried out inside the sanctum, while silver plating is also being installed in other sections of the temple. However, it remains unclear how much money was collected or whether any financial irregularities actually occurred. The inquiry committee is currently examining temple records. Collector Preeti Yadav said further comments would be made only after the investigation is completed. How did the alleged irregularities come to light? A complaint submitted to the Collector’s office alleged that a non-government committee had been collecting donations in the form of cash, gold, and silver from devotees inside the temple complex. The complaint further alleged that: Following these allegations, the district administration ordered an inquiry. Four key questions under investigation The inquiry committee is examining: Temple already has official donation system The temple’s official management committee operates 27 donation boxes across the premises. Devotees can also contribute through online payment facilities, with receipts issued through Point-of-Sale (PoS) machines. The existence of these official donation channels has raised questions about the necessity and legality of the parallel private committee. 28 CCTV cameras installed, four currently non-functional The temple complex is monitored by 28 CCTV cameras, although four are currently out of order. Around 20 staff members, including security guards and sanitation workers, are deployed daily and are paid by the official temple committee. Meanwhile, members of the Nalkheda Sudarshan Seva Samiti have declined to comment publicly. Committee member Manoharlal Panda also refused to discuss the matter when contacted. Devotee calls for fair investigation Regular devotee Kailash Makwana said he believes the truth will emerge through the official inquiry. He expressed confidence that if any wrongdoing occurred, those responsible would be held accountable. A major Shakti Peeth known for tantric rituals Situated on the banks of the Lakhundar River in Nalkheda, the Baglamukhi Temple is regarded as one of India’s prominent Shakti Peeths. The temple attracts devotees from across the country, especially for Tantric rituals and the famous Mirchi Anushthan (Chilli Ritual), which devotees believe helps secure victory in legal disputes, overcome enemies, and seek blessings for childbirth. According to local belief, the Pandavas received blessings for victory at this site during the Mahabharata era. The sanctum houses three deities—Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, and Goddess Baglamukhi—and is adorned with gold worth over ₹3 crore, silver valued at around ₹65 lakh, and other precious ornaments. An 80-foot-tall ceremonial lamp tower (Deepmala) located in front of the temple is another major attraction for visitors.