A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government is probing the disappearance of 60 kg of silver bars reportedly donated to the Ayodhya Ram temple. The silver is said to be absent from the temple’s accounts and stock registers, triggering fresh concern over record-keeping.
The temple’s donations are managed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust. Earlier, allegations surfaced that up to Rs 24 crore from donation funds had gone missing, following which the SIT was constituted to investigate the suspected irregularities.
As part of the inquiry, the SIT questioned trust general secretary Champat Rai and administrator Gopal Rai, among others. Searches were also conducted at the homes of some staff involved in cash-counting work, during which cash and assets worth lakhs were seized, according to reports.
Investigators say the 60 kg silver bars were donated by jewellery traders during the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ period, intended to be placed in the temple foundation. However, officials have not found any documentation so far showing whether the silver was used for the temple, stored elsewhere, or moved through any authorised process.
Jewellery traders have reportedly told investigators that they handed over the silver to the trust and received receipts for the donation. The SIT has been examining the trail for the past six days to determine where the silver went.
