2025.04.05 (Vrindavan Today News): The saying, ‘money can hinder faith’ was proved correct when a banker trusted to count the currency notes from a temple donation box in Vrindavan.
In a shocking breach of trust, a bank official was caught stealing bundles of cash from the donation boxes of the revered Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, one of India’s most visited and spiritually significant pilgrimage sites. The incident has sparked outrage among devotees and raised serious concerns about the integrity of financial oversight in religious institutions.
The theft came to light after temple authorities grew suspicious of the conduct of one of the bank’s field officers, Abhinav Saxena, who was assigned to help count donations. On Thursday and Friday, Saxena, an officer from Canara Bank’s Mathura branch, reportedly left the temple premises earlier than usual during the cash-counting process. When he attempted to leave early again on Saturday, temple management decided to review CCTV footage — and what they found was startling.
The video footage revealed Saxena stealing bundles of currency notes directly from the donation boxes. Upon confronting him, temple officials discovered three bundles of high-denomination notes — two of INR 500 and one of INR 200 — in his possession. The police were immediately informed, and the officer was taken into custody.
A subsequent search of his residence led to the recovery of INR 9.5 lakh (approximately $11,500 USD), believed to be the total amount stolen during the two-day period. Authorities have confirmed that these funds were illicitly taken from the temple’s donations, which had been undergoing a routine three-day counting process.
The Banke Bihari Temple, which receives generous offerings from devotees across the country and abroad, maintains 16 donation boxes. These are opened under strict supervision, and the collected funds are counted by temple staff and bank officials alike. The temple maintains its accounts with Canara Bank, and officials from the bank’s HR department coordinate personnel for donation-related duties.
Canara Bank has responded swiftly to the incident. “The theft committed by our field officer, Abhinav Saxena, is a matter of grave concern,” said Mohit Gautam, the bank’s branch manager. “We have initiated disciplinary action and are proceeding with his suspension.”
Circle Officer of Police Sandeep Singh, who is overseeing the investigation, confirmed the arrest and the recovery of the stolen cash. Legal proceedings against Saxena are currently underway.
This case has not only shaken public faith but also exposed vulnerabilities in how religious institutions manage large-scale donations. With thousands of devotees placing their trust — and their offerings — in the hands of temple administrations and associated financial bodies, incidents like these highlight the need for greater transparency and stricter security protocols.
As investigations continue, the devotees of Banke Bihari Temple hope justice will be served, and that the sanctity of one of India’s most cherished spiritual spaces will be safeguarded from such transgressions in the future.
