Siddhivinayak mastermind held; account with money deposited by victims found

Updated On: 01 March, 2024 06:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania

Chandvekar, a Worli resident, was exposed in October after an investigation by mid-day

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Jitesh Bajrang Chandvekar, the arrested accused

In a VVIP darshan racket at Siddhivinayak Temple, the Dadar police arrested a 39-year-old flower vendor named Jitesh Bajrang Chandvekar. During the investigation, it was discovered that Chandvekar was extorting devotees for a VVIP darshan of Lord Ganesha at the Siddhivinayak Temple and taking a large amount of money from them.

Chandvekar, a Worli resident, was exposed in October after an investigation by mid-day. After this paper’s reports, the temple trust approached the Dadar police, leading to Chandvekar’s arrest and an FIR being filed. Dadar police also identified three more suspected individuals: Mangesh Chavan, 35; Prithvipal Rajput,27; and Ratibhan Yadav, 43, all residents of Prabhadevi.

Advisory for devotees outside temple in October 2023. Pic/Anurag Ahire