Canara Bank Employee Caught Stealing Rs 9.5 Lakh from Donations at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan
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A shocking case of theft has come to light at the famous Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan. A field officer from Canara Bank was caught stealing Rs 9.50 lakh during the counting of donation money at the revered Thakur Banke Bihari Temple in Mathura district. He was caught on CCTV taking money during the routine donation counting process. In total, he is suspected of stealing around ₹9.5 lakh.
Canara Bank Employee Caught Stealing Rs 9.5 Lakh from Donations at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan Mathura. Canara Bank management has suspended Saxena with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/K76yRVXcG1
— Hellobanker (@Hellobanker_in) April 6, 2025
How the Theft Happened
Every month, the temple holds an official donation counting session. This process is done carefully and under the watch of court-appointed officials to make sure everything is done properly and honestly. Representatives from banks are also present to help in counting and handling the cash.
During one such session, Abhinav Saxena, who works for a bank, was helping with the donation counting. However, temple staff noticed something suspicious about his behavior. They saw that he was hiding something under his clothes.
Discovery and Confession
The staff immediately reported the matter and searched him. During the search, they found ₹1.28 lakh in cash hidden on him. When the police questioned him further, Saxena admitted that he had been stealing money from the temple donations over several months. He confessed to taking about ₹8 lakh in earlier counting sessions as well.
Canara Bank management has suspended Saxena with immediate effect. Branch Manager Mohit confirmed that Saxena had been posted at the Vrindavan branch from 2020 to 2024 before being transferred to the loan department in Mathura.
About the Temple and Security Concerns
Banke Bihari Temple is one of the most popular pilgrimage spots in India. Thousands of devotees visit the temple daily and offer large amounts of cash. Because of this, the donation counting process is taken very seriously, with strict supervision. However, this incident has shown that even with precautions, there can be risks.
The temple management has now filed a formal complaint with the police. Saxena is currently in police custody, and the authorities are checking all CCTV footage to confirm how much money was stolen in total.
The police will continue their investigation, and the temple authorities have said they will now take extra steps to improve security during cash counting. This may include tighter checks, more CCTV cameras, and better monitoring of the staff involved.
This incident has raised serious questions about trust and security, especially when it comes to handling donations given by devotees with faith and devotion.
The recent incident involving a Canara Bank officer, Abhinav Saxena, who was apprehended for allegedly stealing nearly ₹10 lakh from the donation boxes of Vrindavan’s Banke Bihari Temple, is deeply troubling. This breach of trust not only tarnishes the reputation of the banking sector but also undermines the sanctity of religious institutions. The swift action taken by both the temple authorities and law enforcement, leading to Saxena’s arrest and the recovery of the stolen funds, is commendable. Canara Bank’s immediate suspension of the accused and initiation of a departmental inquiry demonstrate a commitment to upholding ethical standards. This incident underscores the critical need for stringent oversight and robust ethical training within financial institutions, especially when their representatives are entrusted with handling public or sacred funds.
A serious issue. No doubt. Swift police action. Swift Bank action. If this is the case then what about other financial crimes. Why delayed actions? Why this fast and swift actions not taken? Bank staff come under common man category. Many defaulters. NO such swift and action. Are staffs scrape goats?