Ram Temple Theft Probe Reveals Organised Pilferage During Maha Kumbh Surge
An investigation into the alleged theft of donated money at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has uncovered systematic pilferage that intensified during the Maha Kumbh festival in 2025, according to sources in the temple administration and police.
On an average day, the temple sees between 84,000 and 1 lakh visitors. During the 45-day Maha Kumbh, which ran from January 13 to February 26, 2025, footfall surged to 10-12 lakh on peak days, leading to a significant increase in donations.
To manage the cash counting, the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust recommended hiring extra staff to assist the State Bank of India (SBI). The security firm Sainik Security Services was contracted by SBI for manpower. Its director, Gaurav Singh, stated that the agency provided housekeeping staff and that SBI supplied the names of individuals to be hired. The firm verified their credentials and processed paperwork; these individuals had not previously worked with the agency.
Sources indicate that infighting among Trust members over recruitment and alleged pilferage brought the issue to light. The theft had reportedly been ongoing for some time but was overlooked or handled internally by asking suspects to return the money.
Police have arrested eight individuals, recovering approximately Rs 80 lakh and foreign currency. The investigation is now examining the roles of police and SBI officials, as authorities suspect the scale of organised pilferage required involvement at multiple levels.
Security arrangements at the temple include 8 companies of PAC, 500 CRPF personnel, 750 UP Police Special Security Force, and civil police, in addition to private security stationed outside the cash counting room. An official noted that security checks were insufficient given the volume of cash handled.
Since the FIR was lodged on June 25, 2025, daily footfall has remained steady, with estimates ranging from 84,000 to over 1 lakh on subsequent days.
