Advocate Raises Doubts Over 20‑Ton Silver Audit at Sacred Shrine

The controversy surrounding the Vaishno Devi shrine escalated after a media expose suggested that nearly 20 tonnes of silver stored by the shrine board were largely counterfeit. Deepak Sharma, representing a group of concerned pilgrims, questioned the audit methodology, pointing out that the likelihood of a consistent forgery across such a massive volume is minimal. He emphasized that any discrepancy in a single donor’s offering could be explained, but widespread falsification raises serious doubts about the integrity of the audit process. Sharma’s petition also noted the presence of cadmium, a toxic metal, in the alleged silver, adding a health‑safety dimension to the case.