Allegations that millions of rupees in donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya have been misappropriated have led to a political and legal controversy.
Authorities handling donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya have come under scrutiny after allegations of misappropriation of millions of rupees donated by devotees.
The allegations led to demands for an independent investigation, sharp attacks on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party by opposition parties, and a special investigation ordered by the Uttar Pradesh government.
How did the controversy start?
The issue first came to light after former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey alleged that the matter was between them $7 Crores $Rs 7.5 crore donations to the Ram temple were stolen or embezzled.
Opposition leaders amplified these allegations, questioned how temple funds were handled, and demanded transparency from the temple management.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has rejected the allegations. Trust Mahant member Dinendra Das Maharaj said all transactions are properly recorded and dealt with transparently. The fund’s secretary general, Champat Rai, also denied allegations of any misappropriation.
Legal action
The controversy soon entered the courts.
Advocate Mohit Ashok filed a public interest litigation (PIL) on June 12 after sending pleas earlier on June 8 to Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary (Vigilance), Ram Temple Trust, CBI and other authorities, according to news agency ANI. He said his report was based on reports indicating possible irregularities and embezzlement in the Ram Temple project.
He claimed that after making the representation, senior trust officer Nipendra Mishra visited Ayodhya on June 9 and held meetings on the issue.
Ashok said that discussions took place from June 9 to 12 about forming an inquiry committee headed by two retired judges of the Allahabad High Court.
After being hurriedly contacted by the Ram Mandir Foundation after the PIL, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member special investigation team, according to Ashok.
What the plaintiff requests
The PIL seeks an investigation into the donation allegations. Mohit Ashok requested the following:
- CBI investigation into the role of the entire district administration in land and financial transactions related to the Ram temple project.
- Comprehensive review by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
- A forensic examination of the fund’s financial activities from its founding to the present.
- Ashok also questioned the legitimacy of the SIT investigation itself.
Sitting under scrutiny
One of the main disputes revolves around whether the Special Investigation Team has the authority to investigate the Trust. Ashok says the special investigation team lacks legal or legal standing to investigate the trust’s affairs.
He also raised practical concerns, questioning how whistleblowers or individuals with evidence would engage with the special investigation team, claiming there was no mechanism available for the public to submit documents or contact investigators.
Read also | Ram temple funds row: SIT is likely to submit probe report to CM Adityanath today
He also pointed to delays in the investigation process, saying that despite assurances that the results would be provided within days, no final report has been published yet.
According to him, these issues undermine confidence in the investigation and strengthen the case for the CBI investigation and CAG audit.
Action taken by UP Government
On June 14, the UP government formed a three-member special investigation team to probe the allegations.
The Special Investigation Committee consists of –
- Vijay Vishwas Pant, Divisional Commissioner, Lucknow.
- Kiran S, Inspector General (Range).
- Neil Rattan, Special Secretary, Finance.
The team was mandated to submit initial and final reports as soon as possible. UP CM Yogi Adityanath has repeatedly defended the decision to order an SIT probe, saying it was constituted at the behest of the Trust.
“Attempt to insult Ayodhya Dham”: Yogi
Yogi Adityanath urged political parties and supporters not to draw conclusions before the investigation is completed. He appealed to anyone who possesses documented evidence to submit it to the special court, and said that the investigation “will separate truth from falsehood.”
“I request everyone and all concerned parties to refrain from making baseless comments or statements which hurt the sentiments of Ram’s fans. If anyone has any documentary evidence, they should submit it to the special court,” the Yogi said in Ayodhya, according to ANI.
“We have waited 500 years, now wait another 15 days. Do not be fooled by those who seek to defame Ayodhya and insult Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Today, through misinformation campaigns, they are trying to insult Ayodhya Dham, above all among our holy pilgrimage cities. They are spreading false propaganda,” he said.
“If anyone is guilty, whoever he may be, he will not be saved – that is for sure. What can these people, those who treated Ram devotees this way, teach us,” he said.
Opposition claims
Samajwadi Party
Party president Akhilesh Yadav demanded an impartial investigation and described the Uttar Pradesh government’s silence on the issue as “suspicious”.
He called for judicial intervention, public publication of surveillance camera footage, and an independent investigation into these allegations. He also took a jibe at CM Yogi by asking SIT to probe Yogi’s “record-breaking visits to Ayodhya”.
Shiv Sena (UBT)
The Shiv Sena (UBT) has launched some of its strongest attacks on the BJP over the issue. In an editorial published in the party’s mouthpiece Saamana, the party alleged that the BJP had “looted” the Ram temple.
“The country has now witnessed what ‘temple development’ actually means – looting of the god’s donation boxes – at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Donations, gold, silver and jewelery were brazenly looted at Ram Mandir. Kar Sevaks shed their blood and made the ultimate sacrifice for Ram Mandir, and yet it was the BJP that looted this very temple. The way Mahmud of Ghaznavi looted Somnath “Mr. Temple, the BJP has looted Ram Temple,” it said. The article.
The editorial also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that cases of temple looting across the country involved people associated with the BJP. “Many major temples have been looted across the country over the past decade and all these looters appear to be from the BJP, sitting on Mr Amit Shah’s lap.”
“At least such thefts and burglaries did not take place at the Ambabai temple. The theft of the donation box at Ram Mandir represents a complete breakdown of law and order,” the paper said.
Sanjay Raut allegations
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleged that CCTV footage showed a “commotion” involving more than $5 crore from the temple offerings.
He held both the Uttar Pradesh government and the central government responsible for the alleged theft and accused the BJP of “stealing everything”, from electronic voting machines and votes to donations from devotees.
Raut also announced plans for Uddhav Thackeray and party leaders to visit Ayodhya and seek blessings from Lord Ram.
Aam Aadmi Party
AAP president Arvind Kejriwal also strongly criticized the government. Kejriwal questioned why the FIR was not lodged despite allegations of large sums of money. He claimed that reports indicate cash worth approx $Rs 200 crore along with jewelery and diamonds were stolen.
He questioned why agencies like UP Police, ED and CBI were not registering cases and alleged that the government was protecting influential people.
AAP’s Saurabh Bhardwaj accused CM Yogi of showing sudden sympathy for “donation thieves”.
Read also | AAP’s Sanjay Singh attacks BJP over ‘theft’ of Lord Ram’s pendant and pendant at Ayodhya temple
The BJP responded
The BJP and its allies denied the allegations. Union Minister Giriraj Singh accused the opposition leaders of politicizing the issue. “Questions are being asked by those who have no connection with Ram. He (Akhilesh Yadav) is looking for a case for elections. But as long as Yogi Adityanath is in power, every criminal will definitely be punished,” he said.
Where does it stand now?
The controversy is still under investigation. The UP government’s SIT is currently examining the allegations after the Trust itself sought an investigation.
At this stage, the money laundering allegations remain unproven. The Trust has denied any wrongdoing, and the state government says a special investigation team will establish the facts.
The next major development is expected to be the findings of the Special Investigation Committee.
Anita Goswami is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, where she primarily covers Indian and international news. With four years of experience in the field, she has led coverage of Indian general elections, Assembly elections, and national polls in the US, Canada, Bangladesh and Nepal. Its reports cover world wars and major events, including Operation Sindoor, the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina, and the Mahakumbh Mela. It verifies the facts and uses clear sources to ensure the accuracy of the reports. As a former Editor-in-Chief at Storytailors, she has managed teams to produce high-quality content for networks such as NDTV, Profit, CNBC-TV18, Upstox and News18. Her work has appeared on NDTV, Meaww and Global Pulse. Throughout her tenure, Anita has collaborated with and received mentoring from leading industry experts. When she’s not reading, Anita can be found outside or at a bakery. Areas of interest: Indian political history, international elections, historical policy analysis, global conflicts, cultural events, Formula 1, art, media ethics, reporting on social and political change over time.Read more
