Why is an FIR based on a CID report not filed even after 5 years ? – High Court has issue notice to Home and Police Departments

Corruption of crores of rupees in Shri Tulja Bhavani temple

During the period from 1991 to 2009 there has been misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs. 8,45,97,000 from the Sinhasan Danpeti auction in Shri Tulja Bhavani temple. In this regard, through the medium of the investigation report, the State CID has recommended the State Government to file criminal cases under various Sections on 9 auctioneers, 5 Revenue Officers, one Auditor and one religious Assistant Manager. Already 5 years have passed since the recommendation was made, and no action has been taken against the culprits till date. In this regard, the Sambhajinagar bench of the Mumbai High Court has asked these questions to the State Government – Why FIRs have not been filed against the culprits as per CID’s report during the past 5 years? Is 5 years period not sufficient to file the FIR? Response is sought by the honourable Court from home department of government, police official by 22nd August 2022.

In this regard, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) had filed a criminal writ petition filed through Advocates Suresh Kulkarni and Umesh Bhadgaonkar of Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad. In reply to this petition the above mentioned orders were given by Justice Sarang Kotwal and Justice Bharat Deshpande. So also, they have permitted conversion of the Criminal writ petition into Public interest litigation. The Maharashtra Government had ordered an investigation into the Shri Tulja Bhavani temple scam; however, since many high ranked officials and representatives of people are involved in the scam, the investigation was not completed. Hence, on 20th Sept. 2017, an investigation report was submitted to the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Maharashtra; however, this report was not made public in the Legislative Assembly and was suppressed. When a second petition was filed in this regard, Justice RD Dhanuka and Justice SG Mehare of Sambhajinagar bench ordered the Maharashtra Government on 22th April 2022 to make the copy of the report available to the HJS.

In the report, there is the recommendation to take action against 16 Government officers and auctioneers. So also there was a recommendation to take department level action against the Collectors and representatives of people who are the trustees of the temple; however, already 5 years have passed and no action has been taken. An appeal was made to the Government on a number of occasions and agitations were also held, but there was no action by the Government. Hence, HJS has to file a petition in the Court for the third time. The Court responded by giving above mentioned orders.