Vaishno Devi 'Fake Silver' Row: Only 5% Of Rs 500 Cr Offerings Found To Be Pure Silver; L-G Manoj Sinha In Action

Jammu-Kashmir: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has initiated a review of its donation management system following allegations that nearly Rs 500 crore worth of silver offerings were either unaccounted for or replaced with low-purity metal.

The matter, currently under judicial scrutiny, has raised serious questions about transparency and accountability in the management of offerings at one of India's most visited religious institutions.

ALSO READ: Vaishno Devi Silver Scam: 95% Of 20 Tonnes Of Offerings Found To Be Fake; Value Dips To Rs 30 Cr From 550 Cr

The Controversy: Only 5% Pure Silver In 20-Tonnes Of Offerings

The controversy emerged after the Shrine Board sent approximately 20 tonnes of silver offerings, accumulated over five to six years, to a government mint outside Jammu and Kashmir for melting and purity testing. The assay results revealed that only 5 to 6 per cent of the material was genuine silver, while the rest consisted of cheaper metals like cadmium and iron.

While the pure silver of that volume would be valued at nearly Rs 550 crore at current market rates, the actual realisable value is only a fraction of that estimate. For instance, a report cited by Times of India said that a 70 kg batch of offerings yielded just 3 kg of pure silver.

What Did Tests Reveal About Vaishno Devi Silver Offerings?

According to a report by News18, pilgrims traditionally donate silver chhatars (canopies), coins, and ornaments at the Trikuta Hills shrine near Katra, which are secured and periodically sent for refining to be monetised or repurposed according to board protocols.

However, recent laboratory tests on a melted batch revealed that a significant portion of what was recorded and handled as 'silver' consisted of highly adulterated or non-precious material. The presence of Cadmium, a toxic metal and classified as a carcinogen, has raised health and safety concerns for the workers responsible for handling and processing these offerings.

Jammu Court Summons Crime Branch Inquiry Officer

Advocate Deepak Sharma filed a complaint with the Jammu and Kashmir Police Crime Branch on May 9, alleging criminal conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust, record manipulation, and the potential use of toxic cadmium-laden materials. The complaint sought an investigation into whether devotees were sold counterfeit or heavily adulterated silver articles by vendors before offering them at the shrine or if genuine silver donations were substituted, diluted, or misappropriated after being received by the Shrine Board.

In response, a Jammu Court has directed the Crime Branch's inquiry officer to appear in person with all relevant records related to the alleged Rs 500-crore discrepancy. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 29.

ALSO READ: Vaishno Devi Ropeway Service Closed For Maintenance; Know When It Will Resume, Timings, And Ticket Fares

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Reviews Donation Management System

Amid the controversy, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Shrine Board to review the offerings and donations management system at the shrine. During the meeting, officials briefed the Board on current verification protocols, surveillance mechanisms, banking safeguards, and periodic audit procedures.

The review was described as aimed at ensuring 'transparency, accountability and adherence to standard operating procedures' in handling all donations received at the shrine, PTI reported.

(With Inputs From PTI)