India, Aug. 8 -- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a comprehensive probe into alleged donation irregularities at the famous Siddhivinayak Temple in the city, directing officials to examine the shrine's records for the last five years, an official said on Saturday, 8 Aug.

The directive comes on the heels of allegations by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray that Rs 18 crore was being siphoned off annually from the temple, which prompted the arrest of nine employees and a demand by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for an independent inquiry.

According to officials, Fadnavis ordered the probe after a delegation from the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust met him and presented a detailed account of collections b...