Ram Temple donation probe expands as SIT orders five-year re-audit of trust accounts

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Ayodhya, July 3

The Special Investigation Team probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at Ayodhya’s Ram temple will conduct a fresh audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s accounts for the past five years, following preliminary findings indicating financial irregularities.

The re-audit will examine construction-related expenditure along with gold, silver and jewellery received as donations. Investigators are expected to scrutinise the Trust’s financial records in detail as the probe widens.

Police have arrested eight people involved in the temple’s donation-counting process. Among them is key accused Avinash Shukla, who was taken into police custody after a local court granted investigators 24 hours for questioning. Police said the largest cash recovery in the case has been made from Shukla.

During the investigation, authorities have also recovered cash, gold, silver and foreign currency from several accused. Investigators additionally seized a donation box carrying a Paytm QR code from a yoga centre in Ayodhya where Shukla had allegedly been staying for several years.

The SIT has questioned Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, trustee Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao, who has been associated with the temple’s construction and management. Rai and Mishra have submitted their resignations, and the Trust is expected to consider them at its July 6 meeting.

Commenting on the case, Bageshwar Dham chief Acharya Dhirendra Krishna Shastri expressed confidence in the investigation.

“God will punish the culprits. We have complete faith in the country’s law and order system and in the SIT,” he said.

He added that those responsible for the alleged wrongdoing would face both divine and legal consequences while stressing the need for vigilance against deception.

The alleged embezzlement came to light on June 7. An FIR was registered on June 25 following a preliminary report submitted by the SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government. The investigation is continuing with further financial scrutiny and questioning of those involved.