Court summons officers supporting corrupt temple staff

Issue of scam in Shri Tulajabhavani Mandir

Bombay High Court reprimands for disregarding Court’s orders
Contempt case filed by HJS

Mumbai – In the matter of the malpractices at Shri Tulajabhavani Mandir, cases were not filed as per the directions given by the Bombay High Court against the persons involved; therefore, Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Y G Khobragade of Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court have issued notices to Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik for contempt of Court. Dharashiv’ District Collector Dr Sachin Ombase has been summoned to the Court in this matter. H.H. (advocate) Suresh Kulkarni and advocate Umesh Bhadgaonkar represented Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS). HJS has also filed a case for contempt of Court for disregarding the Court orders.

Case of corruption at Shri Tuljabhavani Temple – Contempt petition filed by @HinduJagrutiOrg

Bombay HC reprimands for failure to act as per court order

Officials backing the temple’s corrupt individuals ordered to appear in court#ReclaimTemples #SaveHinduTemples pic.twitter.com/9pxc2mL1eD

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) August 6, 2024

1. There was misappropriation of funds collected through donations in the donation boxes of Shri Tulajabhavani Mandir during 1991 to 2009. The investigations were initiated in 2011 by the State Crime Branch as per the orders of the then Chief Minister Ashok Chavan. The inquiry was, however, conducted with total disinterest as there was involvement of administrative officers and elected representatives in the scam. In 2015, HJS filed a PIL through Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad (HVP) since it was a matter of devotees’ faith.

2. HVP’s H.H (advocate) Suresh Kulkarni has been following up the matter for many years and on 9^thMay 2014, Aurangabad Bench ordered filing criminal cases against 16 persons found guilty in the scam such as the auctioneers, temple staff, trustees, Government officers and employees etc.

3. Government officers are involved in the scam; therefore, the Administration is trying to protect them, reprimanded the Court and dismissed the Government’s order to stop the investigations into this scam.

4. The Court had issued an order to continue the investigations under a senior officer of the level of Superintendent of Police of the crime branch, but the order was not obeyed by the State Government.

5. HJS filed a case for contempt of Court against Maharashtra Government’s additional Chief Secretary (Home Dept.), Director General of Police, Dharashiv’s Police Chief and District Collector as the defendants in this case.

6. Hearing of the case was held on 1^stAugust 2024. H.H. (advocate) Suresh Kulkarni and advocate Bhadgaonkar pleaded that the officers sitting in Mantralaya have been strongly supporting the corrupt persons involved in this scam; therefore, they are purposely disobeying the Hon. High Court’s orders and they should be punished for contempt of Court.

7. On such a claim, Justices Ghuge and Khobragade issued a ‘show cause’ notice to the additional Chief Secretary (Home) Maharashtra Government and ordered Dharashiv’s District Collector and District Police Chief to attend the hearing on 2^ndSeptember 2024.

8. The High Court issued notices to the defendants in the case stating that the case of contempt of Court is only being heard in the High Court and there is no need to stop filing cases against the concerned.

9. Shri Tulajabhavani Mandir is a seat of worship for billions of devotees. They offer donations in the temple. The Government has, however, taken over management of the temple stating temple mismanagement. The Government claims that they would manage the temples in a better way. The malpractices of Shri Tulajabhavani Mandir have been exposed 30 years ago still the Government is not taking any action. Moreover, it has been supporting the scamsters; therefore, we are filing the case on behalf of HJS, stated H.H. (advocate) Suresh Kulkarni in the Court.

Contribution of H.H. (advocate) Suresh Kulkarni in the judicial fight to expose the scam in Shri Tulajabhavani Mandir

HJS followed up the matter of malpractices in Shri Tulajabhavani Mandir and staged several demonstrations, submitted memorandums, created awareness among devotees; so also, filed a PIL in 2011 with Aurangabad Bench of Mumbai High Court through H.H. (advocate) Kulkarni. Many hearings have been held since then and at every hearing, H.H. Kulkarni strongly took up the matter in Court. He stated that the legal fight would go on till the corrupt officers are brought to justice.