Ram Temple Donation Probe Deepens as SIT Orders Five Year Re Audit of Trust Accounts

The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has entered a crucial phase, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) deciding to conduct a comprehensive re audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's financial records for the past five years. The move comes after the preliminary inquiry reportedly pointed to large scale financial irregularities , prompting investigators to widen the scope of the probe.

According to sources, the re audit will examine not only the Trust's expenditure on the temple's construction but also donations received in the form of cash, gold, silver, jewellery, and other valuables . Investigators are expected to carry out a detailed scrutiny of financial records to determine whether discrepancies extend beyond the transactions already under investigation.

The probe also intensified on the criminal front after key accused Avinash Shukla , who was involved in the temple's donation counting process, was taken into police custody for questioning. A local court granted investigators 24 hours of police custody, allowing the SIT to interrogate him further. Police sources said Shukla is facing stronger legal action after authorities recovered Rs 20.39 lakh , the largest cash seizure made in the case so far, from his possession.

The SIT has also questioned senior Trust functionaries, including general secretary Champat Rai , trustee Anil Mishra , and Gopal Rao , who has been associated with the temple's construction and management. Both Rai and Mishra have submitted their resignations, which are expected to be discussed during the Trust's meeting on July 6 .

The investigation has led to multiple recoveries from several accused. Police have seized substantial amounts of cash from those allegedly linked to the donation counting process, along with 11 grams of gold, around 375 grams of silver, and USD 1,121 . Investigators also recovered a donation box labelled "Ramrajya Kosh" , carrying a Paytm QR code, from a yoga centre in Ayodhya where Shukla had reportedly been residing for several years.

The alleged financial irregularities first came to light on June 7 , following which the Uttar Pradesh government constituted the SIT. An FIR was registered on June 25 based on the team's preliminary findings. So far, eight people associated with the temple's donation counting process have been arrested, while the investigation continues to uncover the full extent of the alleged embezzlement.