Two years after the dedication of the Ram temple that has become an ideological and political landmark for the BJP, allegations of irregularities in donations have escalated into a serious controversy.
The controversy surfaced on June 7 when Samajwadi Party leader Pawan Pandey claimed that the donations were deserved $5 Crores $Rs 7.5 crore has been withdrawn from the temple offerings. On the same day, the trust rejected these allegations. Champat Rai assured that every rupee donated by devotees was properly counted and audited.
Later on June 7, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav demanded an independent probe, saying faith requires transparency. Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh have begun demanding accountability, arguing that the issue is about public trust rather than party politics. On June 25, the AKP MP appeared before the Special Investigation Team to provide evidence.
On June 12, Rajneesh Singh, the BJP leader in Ayodhya, sought an investigation into the RBI and wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister’s Office has also sought a factual report from the Temple Trust, according to an official letter dated June 23.
On June 25, Vishwa Hindu Parishad IAP chief Alok Kumar demanded that an FIR be registered if evidence proved theft, and later called for an investigation to cover all concerned.
On June 19, Prime Minister Yogi Adityanath personally intervened and declared that “no guilty person will be absolved.” The Prime Minister’s remarks came after he, on June 13, ordered the formation of a three-member Special Investigation Committee comprising Lucknow District Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, IG Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neil Rattan.
Between June 15 and 20, investigators questioned credit officers, administrators, outside staff, security personnel, cash counting staff and State Bank of India officials handling donations.
They examined staffing procedures, CCTV systems, movement of valuables and accounting practices relating to cash, gold and silver offerings.
Nearly 150 people were identified for scrutiny, about 24 people underwent detailed examination and cash and precious metals were recovered during the investigation, people familiar with the developments said. The SIT also found that CCTV footage was available for about 45 days, according to the FIR filed on Thursday.
On June 23, the court submitted its preliminary report, advising the registration of a criminal case and suggesting structural reforms in the management of temple donations. On June 25, Temple Trust member Krishna Mohan lodged a police complaint, following which an FIR was lodged and eight people were arrested.
In 2021, opposition parties questioned land transactions acquired around the temple. However, this controversy has remained largely confined to political allegations and denials. But in this case, the BJP government ordered an investigation, an FIR was lodged, arrests followed, and the investigation continues to widen.
