A controversy has erupted over the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, prompting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine financial irregularities and operational shortcomings at one of India’s most revered religious sites.
The issue gained momentum earlier this month when opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, publicly alleged that crores of rupees in devotee offerings had gone missing. Initial claims pointed to discrepancies potentially exceeding ₹200 crore, though official findings so far indicate smaller but notable recoveries and systemic lapses.
In response, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member SIT at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The team has been scrutinizing the cash handling procedures, donation records, CCTV footage, banking transactions, and the accounting of valuable offerings such as gold and silver items.
What’s established by the probe?
Investigators have recovered approximately ₹2 crore in cash during raids, including around ₹10 lakh allegedly hidden by a temple employee under a cow-dung heap at his residence. At least two staff members have been detained and questioned in connection with the case.
A preliminary report submitted by the SIT to the state government has flagged serious procedural lapses such as inadequate staff verification, insufficient CCTV monitoring in sensitive areas like donation counting rooms, and unsafe methods of transporting cash.
Suspicious movements were reportedly captured on camera, and stray cash was found abandoned in a washroom adjacent to the counting areas.
The Trust, led by figures including general secretary Champat Rai, has maintained that internal audits, conducted jointly with State Bank of India officials, are underway and that no large-scale embezzlement has been substantiated. Trust representatives emphasize ongoing transparency measures and have denied major discrepancies in overall accounts.
Political ripples
The controversy has triggered sharp political exchanges.
While some within the ruling dispensation, including construction committee head Nripendra Misra, have described the lapses as an ‘open robbery,’ Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has cautioned against premature judgments, framing excessive scrutiny as potentially insulting to the sentiments of Ayodhya and its devotees.
Petitions have now reached the Supreme Court and Allahabad High Court, with advocates demanding a CBI-led probe, registration of an FIR, and a comprehensive audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to restore public confidence.
Ayodhya Ram Temple
The Ram Temple, inaugurated in 2024, has drawn millions of pilgrims and substantial donations, positioning it as a major religious and economic center. Devotees and observers alike stress the need for robust accountability mechanisms to safeguard public faith and the sanctity of contributions made in good faith.
The SIT is expected to submit a detailed final report in the coming days or weeks. As the investigation continues, questions linger over long-term reforms in cash management, digital tracking of offerings, and independent oversight of temple finances.