A threefold jump in weekly donations after an alleged theft racket was unearthed has prompted fresh political allegations over the handling of temple funds in Maharashtra.

Addressing a programme organised by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) student wing on Saturday, party chief Raj Thackeray claimed that nearly ₹18 crore was being stolen every year from Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple through alleged siphoning of devotees' donations.

Backing his allegation with figures, Thackeray said the temple used to receive less than ₹50 lakh in weekly donations before the alleged theft came to light.

According to him, the weekly collection increased to nearly ₹1.5 crore after the irregularities were detected, leading him to claim that around ₹18 crore had been diverted annually.

'Frustrated youths visit temples, but even temples are not safe from corruption these days,' Thackeray said. He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue.

The MNS chief further alleged that ₹1,400 crore had been stolen at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, referring to an ongoing investigation into alleged theft of donations there.

Thackeray cited a letter written by eight trustees of the Siddhivinayak Temple to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, claiming that alert trustees had helped expose employees allegedly stealing money from the temple's donation boxes.

Responding to the allegations, Siddhivinayak Temple Trust chairman and Shiv Sena leader Sada Sarvankar said nine employees had already been arrested in connection with the case.

'We have filed cases wherever required,' Sarvankar told reporters, adding that the increase in temple donations was the result of measures introduced by the trust.

He said the temple's annual income had risen from ₹114 crore two years ago to ₹182 crore.

Police have arrested multiple accused in the alleged donation theft case linked to the Ram Temple as well, and the investigation remains underway.