Two complaints lodged for misconduct at temple in Girnar

Rajkot: Two separate police complaints have been lodged by the Junagadh City mamlatdar in connection with the alleged illegal entry, consumption of alcohol and non-vegetarian food, and financial misconduct at the Ambaji Mata temple on Girnar mountain.The complaint lodged by Ashwinkumar Baraiya, the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) at Bhavnath police station names Abhishek Chauhan alias Boy, Jignesh Dabhi, Chhagan Dabhi, Nikhil Meghnathi, and two minors aged around 17 years old, under BNS sections 329(3), 296(B), 54 pertaining to impersonation and obscene acts, and the Prohibition Act. The group is accused of illegally entering the temple's kitchen area on the night of Oct 22, 2025, at approximately 8:30pm, where they allegedly consumed alcohol, used obscene language, and prepared and ate non-vegetarian food.A video of this incident recently went viral, prompting an inquiry by the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) before the complaint was formally filed.The second, more complex complaint against five individuals, Yogeshgiri (a representative of Neelkanth Temple), Dushyantgiri Aparnathi, Devgiri, Kundangiri Aparnathi, and Bharatnath Rajnath, was registered under BNS sections 316(2)(4), 318(3) and 329(2).Baraiya's statement details how a video circulated on Jan 29, 2026, showed Yogeshgiri and Dushyantgiri performing temple rituals despite not being officially appointed priests. They were also seen allegedly allowing unauthorised access to the temple's inner sanctum and accepting cash directly from devotees.The complaint states that Dushyantgiri and Devgiri were captured on CCTV, the footage of which was also circulated on social media, blocking the donation box slot with cloth to prevent devotees' money from being deposited inside.Further financial irregularity allegations involve Kundangiri, who was allegedly seen covering the donation box with a handkerchief and personally pocketing money from female devotees.Bharatnath Rajnath is also implicated, along with Kundangiri, for alleged betrayal and defrauding the temple management through financial irregularities.