A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government is probing allegations of irregularities in donations made to the Ayodhya Ram temple. As the inquiry continues, the SIT has issued an order barring the temple trust’s administrators and employees from leaving Ayodhya.
The Ram temple is managed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party led by former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, have alleged that funds from donations were misused, with claims that up to Rs 24 crore is unaccounted for.
Following the allegations, the trust itself sought a detailed investigation, after which the state government constituted a three-member SIT on June 13. The team has been stationed in Ayodhya for several days, questioning trust office-bearers and key priests.
During the preliminary probe, officials reportedly found that details about 60 kg of silver bars provided by jewellery traders for placement in the temple foundation during the ‘prana pratishtha’ ceremony were not recorded in the temple’s accounts register. The SIT has also flagged possible lapses in documenting donated diamonds, gold, silver and other valuables, and noted that some responses from officials and staff were inconsistent.
Investigators suspect the irregularities may have occurred during a period of heavy pilgrim rush around last year’s January–February festivities. The SIT has digitised and securely stored daily intelligence reports and shared updates with the Chief Minister’s Office, and is expected to compile its findings into a final report for submission to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The probe has also expanded to include alleged overpricing in land purchases by the trust, as well as procurement and financial transactions related to construction materials.
