India
A political and legal battle has erupted over allegations of financial irregularities involving donations made by devotees at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Claims that several crores of rupees may have been stolen or misappropriated have sparked demands for a high-level investigation, fierce exchanges between political parties, and intense public scrutiny of the temple administration.
The controversy began after former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey alleged that between ₹7 crore and ₹7.5 crore collected through donations at the Ram Temple had either gone missing or been embezzled. The allegations quickly gained traction, prompting opposition leaders to question the management of temple funds and call for greater transparency from those overseeing the shrine’s finances.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has strongly denied all accusations. Trust representatives, including General Secretary Champat Rai and member Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj, have maintained that all donations and expenditures are properly documented and audited. According to the Trust, there is no evidence of financial wrongdoing and all transactions have been handled in accordance with established procedures.
The matter soon reached the courts after advocate Mohit Ashok filed a Public Interest Litigation seeking an independent investigation. The petitioner has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into financial and land-related transactions connected to the Ram Temple project. He has also demanded a comprehensive audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General and a forensic examination of the Trust’s finances since its inception.
In response to the growing controversy, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team on June 14. The SIT comprises senior administrative, police and finance officials and has been tasked with conducting a detailed probe into the allegations. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has defended the move, stressing that the investigation was initiated following a request from the Trust itself.
However, the SIT has also come under criticism. The petitioner has questioned whether the team has the legal authority to investigate the Trust and has argued that there is no clear mechanism for whistleblowers or witnesses to submit evidence. These concerns have fuelled demands for a probe by central agencies instead.
Opposition parties have used the controversy to target the BJP government. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has sought an impartial inquiry and questioned the state government’s handling of the issue. Shiv Sena (UBT) launched an even sharper attack, comparing the alleged incident to historical temple lootings and accusing the BJP of failing to protect funds donated by devotees. Party MP Sanjay Raut claimed CCTV footage showed a large-scale theft and demanded accountability from both state and central governments.
The Aam Aadmi Party has also raised questions, with leaders asking why no criminal cases have been registered despite serious allegations involving large sums of money. They have accused authorities of shielding influential individuals and delaying action.
The BJP has rejected the opposition’s allegations, describing them as politically motivated attempts to malign the Ram Temple and the state government. Union Minister Giriraj Singh accused opposition leaders of exploiting the issue for electoral gains and insisted that anyone found guilty would face strict action.
Addressing the controversy, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged people not to jump to conclusions before the investigation is completed. He appealed to anyone possessing documentary evidence to submit it to the SIT and famously remarked that devotees had waited 500 years for the temple and could wait another 15 days for the truth to emerge. He also warned against misinformation campaigns aimed at tarnishing Ayodhya’s image and hurting the sentiments of devotees.
For now, the allegations remain unproven. The Trust continues to deny any wrongdoing, while the SIT probe is ongoing. The findings of the investigation are expected to determine whether the controversy is rooted in fact or political accusation, making the upcoming report one of the most closely watched developments in Ayodhya in recent years.
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