Ram Temple Fund Probe: SIT Bars Trust Officials from Leaving Ayodhya
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged embezzlement of funds at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has instructed temple trust officials and functionaries not to leave the city, according to temple sources. The directive was issued before the SIT departed for Lucknow on Sunday, June 21.
Sources said the SIT found discrepancies in the documentation of offerings made by devotees, including gold, silver jewellery, and precious stones such as diamonds. During questioning, several trust office-bearers could not provide satisfactory explanations regarding the inventory, storage, and accounting of these items.
Major irregularities are suspected to have occurred during the Maha Kumbh Mela period in January-February 2025, when the temple witnessed an unprecedented influx of nearly 10 lakh devotees daily. Donation boxes were reportedly filled with currency notes within hours, making monitoring and accounting a key focus of the investigation.
The SIT is compiling daily investigation reports in digital form, which will be finalised before being presented to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Reports are also being sent to the Chief Minister's Office on a daily basis.
The probe extends beyond fund embezzlement to cover land purchases by the temple trust and procurement of building materials. Sources alleged that land was bought at prices several times above market rates, an issue raised by political parties including the Samajwadi Party and Aam Aadmi Party.
The SIT was constituted on June 13 by the Uttar Pradesh government following a request from the temple trust amid allegations of misappropriation of donations. The three-member team comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police S. Kiran, and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan.
