The Shree Chaturdas Maharaj Temple in Butati Dham, located in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan, has come under intense scrutiny following the revelation of a massive financial embezzlement case. Known globally as a major center of faith for patients suffering from paralysis, the temple attracts thousands of devotees who visit in search of miraculous healing. However, this deep-seated faith has been shaken by allegations of a scam amounting to approximately 22 crore rupees. The irregularities came to light after a detailed investigation report was submitted by the Degana Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to the Nagaur Collector, exposing a web of financial mismanagement and corruption within the temple development committee.
Investigation Reveals Massive Financial Discrepancies
The administration had constituted a 13 member investigation committee to look into the temple's financial dealings for the fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25. When the committee cross-referenced the audit records with actual physical documents, they found evidence of alleged embezzlement and financial irregularities totaling nearly 22 crore rupees. Despite multiple notices sent to the committee chairman seeking clarification and supporting documents, no satisfactory response was provided. The investigation team has now confirmed the misuse of devotee offerings, trust property, and donation funds, while the report highlights a systematic failure in maintaining transparency and accountability in the temple's financial operations.
Missing Gold and Silver Records
One of the most shocking findings of the investigation pertains to the temple's precious metal reserves. According to the records, the previous committee held 36 kilograms of silver and 250 grams of gold. 5 kilograms of silver and 280 grams of gold. 60 crore rupees, is physically present, it has not been duly recorded in the institution's account books, stock registers, or official financial records. This lack of formal documentation has raised serious questions about the intent of the committee members and the potential for further misappropriation of temple assets.
Fake Construction and Inflated Kitchen Expenses
The investigation also uncovered significant fraud in the construction and maintenance of the temple's facilities. 49 lakh rupees on the construction of the Bhojanshala (dining hall). However, the probe revealed that the entire ground floor construction was actually funded by a private donor (Bhamashah) at his own expense. Despite this, the committee allegedly withdrew funds from the temple's treasury using fake bills. 64 lakh rupees. 17 crore rupees was shown as spent over two years, the committee failed to provide a supplier list, GST bills, or records of the people who were fed.
Irregularities in CCTV and Village Development
The audit also pointed towards suspicious spending on technology and infrastructure. 41 lakh rupees were reportedly spent on CCTV cameras, yet no tenders or quotations were found for these purchases. The investigation found evidence of over-invoicing, where payments were made far above market rates. 14 lakh rupees was recorded in the name of M Junction Services, but the corresponding vouchers were found to be in the name of Ranabai Traders. This discrepancy has been labeled as a serious case of falsification of accounts. 37 lakh rupees were shown as spent on village development in 2024-25, but there was no record of contractors or any physical evidence of the work performed. 48 lakh rupees were shown as spent on repairs, computers, and furniture without any bills, measurement books, or work orders.