Bengaluru: Serious allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of religious donations have surfaced against the current office-bearers of Shri Salasar Balaji Seva Samiti, with trustees and life members accusing them of arbitrarily spending public funds collected in the name of Lord Balaji to promote their personal image, bypassing all institutional norms and accountability mechanisms.
Sources within the Samiti allege that the incumbent office-bearers have begun freely spending donation money without consulting the managing committee, convening an Annual General Meeting, or seeking approval from senior trustees or life members. According to members, the sole objective behind the expenditure is personal glorification, with no concern for the religious or charitable purpose for which the funds were raised.
The controversy has intensified following the organisation of a Hindi play titled Chakravyuh, scheduled for Sunday. Several trustees and life members told this newspaper that the event is a clear example of misuse of Samiti funds. They allege the programme serves no spiritual, social or charitable purpose and is unlikely to generate any revenue, while ensuring financial losses for the organisation.
A senior trustee, speaking with visible distress, said donations were made with faith and devotion, but that trust has now been shattered. “We gave money for dharmic work. Today it feels like our donations have been wasted for personal showmanship,” the trustee said.
Life members directly accused Samiti president Pramod Murarka of using the Chakravyuh programme to project his personal name. “This event has nothing to do with religion or service. It is purely for individual publicity. There is no transparency, no budget approval, and no expected returns,” another trustee alleged.
Members also questioned the logic behind spending lakhs of rupees on newspaper advertisements when entry to the programme is reportedly restricted through passes issued mainly to trustees, life members and select invitees. “If attendance is only by passes, why burn public money on advertisements?” asked a trustee who declined to be named.
Several life members said they have been completely sidelined and denied any role in decision-making. “We were shown lofty promises while collecting donations. Today, we are not even allowed to speak in meetings. There is open corruption and complete disregard for members,” one life member said.
Trustees alleged that senior office-bearers, including the president, secretary and vice-president, are spending huge sums on advertisements solely to highlight their personal names, despite there being no genuine requirement for such publicity.
More alarming are allegations of large-scale cash transactions and unaccounted money. Almost all trustees and life members who spoke to this newspaper alleged that the programme involves black money, with donations and expenses largely handled in cash and no proper records maintained. Some alleged that the event is drawing individuals engaged in illegal or unaccounted business activities.
Repeated attempts by this newspaper to seek clarification from the current office-bearers failed, with officials refusing to answer any questions. They reportedly directed the newspaper to communicate only in writing or speak to their legal advisor, declining to provide any explanation regarding finances, approvals or objectives.
Members further alleged that the Samiti has failed to disclose details of total collections or expenditures to trustees, life members or even statutory authorities. Though registered under the Societies Act, they claim the organisation has not submitted proper accounts, raising serious regulatory concerns.
The newspaper has filed formal complaints with the Registrar of Societies and the Income Tax Department, stating that the intention is not to obstruct temple construction but to ensure that a transparent and lawful Balaji temple is built, free from individuals allegedly exploiting religious faith for personal gain.
A growing chorus within the Samiti is now demanding immediate dissolution of the current managing committee and the formation of a new body, with a clear insistence that no member of the present committee be included. “These individuals are unfit to run a religious institution,” several trustees and life members said.
There are also calls for a large-scale boycott and protest against the Chakravyuh programme, which members say has become a symbol of unchecked misuse of donations and erosion of trust within the Samiti.
