LG Sinha reviews offerings system at Vaishno Devi Shrine amid fake silver row
Amid “fake silver” offerings controversy at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting with the Members of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and senior officials and reviewed the Offerings and Donations Management System.
The meeting was convened after the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Jammu had directed the Crime Branch Inquiry Officer on July 13 to produce records related to over Rs 550 crore worth of “fake silver” offerings at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine on the next date of hearing, 29 July 2026.
The order was passed on an application filed by Advocate Deepak Sharma, who had lodged a detailed complaint on 9 May 2026 with the Inspector General of Police, Crime Branch, and SSP, Economic Offences Wing, demanding immediate registration of an FIR and a thorough probe.
The complaint accuses those responsible of serious cognizable offences, criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, record manipulation, and the possible use of cadmium-laden fake material in place of devotees’ silver offerings.
According to a statement issued by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, during the meeting, a comprehensive review of the collection, counting, accounting, safeguarding and utilisation of devotees’ offerings was made to ensure complete transparency, accountability and adherence to established Standard Operating Procedures in the management of offerings and donations received at the Holy Shrine.
A detailed presentation was made by the officers of the board, highlighting the robust systems and institutional mechanisms put in place for the secure and transparent handling of offerings received through donation boxes, donation counters, online platforms and offerings in the form of precious metals.
The Board, which met under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, was apprised of verification processes, surveillance mechanisms, banking safeguards and periodic audits that govern every stage of the process.
During the meeting, it was informed that all financial transactions related to offerings and donations are undertaken strictly in conformity with prescribed banking norms, statutory provisions and the guidelines issued by the Government of India from time to time.
The Board also noted the stringent security protocols adopted for handling and storage of the offerings received in the form of precious metal as well as its secure transportation, processing and refinery through reputed Government-approved institutions including the Reserve Bank of India and India Government Mint, Hyderabad.
After a detailed review, the Board expressed satisfaction over the transparency, accountability and efficiency of the existing arrangements.
The Board also appreciated the comprehensive safeguards and monitoring mechanisms adopted to ensure that the sacred offerings made by devotees are managed with the highest standards of integrity, financial discipline and public trust.
