A major controversy has intensified around the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following allegations of irregularities in donation handling and suspected embezzlement of temple funds. The case has led to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, the arrest of eight individuals, and resignations within the trust’s top leadership.
Background of the Case
The alleged irregularities in donation management at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya surfaced amid growing scrutiny over the handling of large-scale cash and valuable offerings made by devotees after the temple’s consecration in January 2024.
The temple, one of India’s most high-profile religious sites, receives substantial daily inflows of cash, jewellery, and offerings from devotees across the country and abroad. The trust manages these through a structured system involving donation counters, cash collection teams, counting centres, banking channels, and audit mechanisms.
Concerns reportedly emerged over:
- Cash collection and counting procedures
- Handling of donation boxes and valuables
- Record-keeping and reconciliation of funds
- Oversight of staff involved in donation operations
Following preliminary scrutiny, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine alleged financial irregularities.
SIT Findings and FIR
After conducting field visits, examining records, and questioning officials and staff, the SIT submitted its preliminary report to the state government.
Based on the findings, an FIR was registered against eight individuals linked to donation handling operations. The accused face charges including:
- Theft
- Criminal breach of trust
- Cheating
- Criminal conspiracy
Police officials confirmed that all eight accused have been arrested and taken into custody for interrogation.
The accused are associated with cash counting operations, donation box handling, administrative support roles, and include a former bank-linked employee and temple attendants.
SIT Findings: Alleged Repeated Theft Pattern
According to reports citing SIT inputs, investigators have flagged a pattern of repeated irregularities in donation handling, including allegations that thefts or discrepancies may have occurred multiple times over a short period.
As per an India TV report, the SIT has identified instances suggesting that irregularities in donation handling may have taken place up to 70 times within a span of two months, indicating possible systematic lapses rather than isolated incidents.
Investigators are also examining whether:
- Funds were siphoned off before bank deposit
- Internal controls were bypassed repeatedly
- Staff-level collusion enabled recurring discrepancies
- Gaps in monitoring systems allowed repeated incidents
The findings are still under verification as part of the ongoing probe.
Arrests and Custody
Following registration of the FIR, all eight accused were detained within 24 hours. They are currently being interrogated by police teams in Ayodhya.
Investigators are reviewing:
- Financial transaction records
- Donation registers and reconciliation statements
- CCTV footage from counting and storage areas
- Possible diversion of funds before banking
- Links between accused individuals and operational loopholes
Trust Leadership Resignations
The controversy escalated further with resignations from senior trust officials.
Champat Rai
General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, who resigned citing moral responsibility amid the ongoing controversy.
Anil Mishra
Trustee of the trust, who also stepped down during the investigation period.
The resignations have triggered significant administrative disruption within the body managing one of India’s most prominent religious institutions.
Key Allegations Under Investigation
The SIT is examining allegations related to:
- Possible misappropriation of cash donations and offerings
- Repeated irregularities in donation handling systems
- Weak accounting and verification mechanisms
- Gaps in CCTV surveillance and audit trails
- Irregular staff deployment and supervision
- Possible involvement of external cash-handling agencies
Government and Political Response
The Uttar Pradesh government has stated that strict action will be taken against those found guilty. It has also emphasized that the sanctity of Ayodhya and the Ram Temple must not be questioned during the investigation.
The Chief Minister has said that those responsible will not be spared, while urging that the temple institution itself should not be brought into disrepute.
Opposition parties have raised concerns over transparency in donation management and oversight mechanisms within the trust.
Scale of Donations At Ram Temple
The Ram Temple receives large volumes of daily offerings, including cash and jewellery, from devotees nationwide and abroad.
The trust operates a multi-layered system involving donation counters, cash handling teams, banking channels, and security arrangements to manage these inflows.
Given the scale of donations, even procedural lapses or weak controls can result in significant discrepancies, investigators noted.
Current Status of the Case
- SIT investigation ongoing
- Eight individuals arrested and in custody
- FIR registered and charges under investigation
- Allegations of repeated irregularities under scrutiny
- Trust leadership has resigned
- Financial audit and forensic review underway
- Further arrests not ruled out