Mumbai: Ex-Trustee Of Temple Trust Based In Sion-Koliwada Arrested In ₹66 Lakh Embezzlement Case

Mumbai: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police has arrested Shamsher Talwar, a former trustee of the Shri Sanatan Dharma Sabha Geeta Bhavan Hari Mandir Trust in Sion-Koliwada, for allegedly embezzling Rs 66 lakh from the trust’s funds. Talwar was apprehended in Delhi on May 24 and was produced before the Esplanade Court on Saturday, which remanded him to EOW custody until May 28.

About The Case

The case surfaced on January 14 this year, following a complaint lodged by catering businessman Satyam Kohli at the Antop Hill police station. The FIR named Shamsher Talwar, his wife Aditi Talwar, and several other trust officials, accusing them of misappropriating donations collected by the Shri Sanatan Dharma Sabha Trust and the Koliwada Sanatan Dharma Sabha Education Society Trust since 2019, leading to substantial financial losses.

Initial investigations identified Shamsher Talwar as the prime accused. He had sought anticipatory bail from the Sessions Court and then the Bombay High Court, but was denied relief. He subsequently approached the Supreme Court, which also rejected his plea, paving the way for his arrest by the EOW.

Sources in the EOW revealed that large amounts of donated funds were siphoned off for personal expenses and through fake bills. Investigators also suspect irregularities in the management and use of trust-owned properties. EOW officials are now expanding the probe to include financial dealings of the trust and the role of other trustees. A deeper audit of trust documents and assets is currently underway.

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