The financial irregularities valued at Rs 5.63 lakh have allegedly emerged through an RTI disclosure report with regards to the management of temple donations and expenditure during the Mahashivratri fair at the famous Devtalab Shiv Temple in Mauganj, District in Madhya Pradesh.
Official documents accessed through the Right to Information (RTI) revealed payments of Rs 5.63 lakh were allegedly done without a sitting committee resolution or a tender process approved by the government. The scandal has raised questions about transparency in the administration of the contributions of the devotees.
Records reveal that a meeting of the temple management committee took place on 13th February 2026, two days prior to the celebration of Mahashivratri. MLA and former Assembly Speaker Girish Gautam presided over the meeting which was attended by SDM, Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar and CEO. Only four proposals made by officials were accepted, which included vehicle worship fees, charges for the VIP darshan, Shehnai performances and changing of the temple flag every week.
The RTI documents say there is no clearance for huge expenses on temple decoration and setting up Tents/Mahaprasad activities. Notwithstanding that, bills worth Rs 5.63 lakh were allegedly prepared and processed for payments as soon as Mahashivratri fair started from 15 February.
The discrepancies have reignited calls for an investigation of the temple’s financial management. The documents have also come up with general issues of accountability and transparency in public appointments to religious institutions, especially in the case of collected special taxes in the lead up to religious festivals.