Sai temple trustees booked for misappropriation of gold, funds

NAGPUR: A case has been registered against seven trustees of the famous Sai Mandir here for allegedly misappropriating the temple's gold, silver and cash to a tune of Rs 21.30 lakhs.

Following a direction from a local court, police registered the offenses last night against the seven trustees for misappropriating 500 grams gold, 22 kgs silver and Rs 30,000 cash, which was donated to the temple by devotees, from April 27, 2009, till date.

The trustees have been charged under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, police said.

A former trustee, Avinash Shegaonkar, had earlier lodged a complaint with Sitabuldi police against the incumbent trustees of the temple, located on Nagpur-Wardha road.

No arrest has been made so far in the case, police added.