A shocking incident has unfolded at an ISKCON temple in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, where an employee, Murlidhar Das, is accused of absconding with a significant sum of donation money along with vital receipt books. The temple authorities have formally lodged a complaint with the police, accusing Murlidhar Das of breaching his trust.
Murlidhar Das was tasked with collecting donations from devotees and regularly depositing the funds with the temple authorities. His duties also involved managing receipt books, which meticulously document the donations. However, recent concerns about his performance culminated when he reportedly fled with both the monetary donations and the receipt records, sparking an immediate investigation.
Ravi Lochan Das, the temple’s Public Relations Officer, elaborated that Murlidhar’s responsibilities were essential for maintaining the financial integrity of the temple. He was expected not only to gather donations but also to ensure their timely and secure submission to the temple's financial management. In light of the situation, the authorities are now undertaking a thorough review to determine the exact amount of money Murlidhar may have taken and to verify the accuracy of their records.
This isn’t the first time the temple has experienced such an incident. Ravi Lochan Das revealed that a previous case involved an employee named Sourabh, who had also fled with donations and receipts. However, before the stolen funds could be recovered, Sourabh passed away, hindering any further investigation.
The police, led by City Superintendent of Police Arvind Kumar, have initiated a full investigation into the matter. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered late on Friday night by Vishwanam Das, the temple's Chief Financial Officer, after confirming the theft. According to police sources, Murlidhar Das is a resident of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and had been living in Mathura. In addition to the stolen donations, Murlidhar reportedly took a receipt book containing 32 sheets, further complicating the situation.
Both the temple authorities and local law enforcement are now focused on recovering the stolen funds and apprehending Murlidhar Das. The temple is in the process of reviewing its financial records to evaluate the extent of the loss and ensure that there are no additional discrepancies. This case has highlighted the need for enhanced security measures in managing financial operations within religious institutions.
As the investigation progresses, the authorities remain hopeful of locating the suspect and recovering the stolen funds, which were generously contributed by the devotees.
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