SIT probes Ram Mandir donation funds: Counting process, oversight explained

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government is examining allegations of misappropriation of donation funds and valuable items offered at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The investigation focuses on the counting and handling of cash and ornaments collected from devotees.

At the centre of the inquiry is the Pilgrim Facilitation Centre, located 200 metres from the temple. The building houses a basement counting room where donations from 35 boxes placed across the shrine premises are brought and counted. With around one lakh devotees visiting daily, counting takes place in two shifts — roughly 8 am to 2 pm and 2 pm to 8 pm — with about 20 tellers per shift.

Daily donations are estimated at Rs 8 to Rs 13 lakh, though an employee of the Ram Janmabhoomi Kshetra Teerth Trust said it can reach Rs 50 to Rs 60 lakh on some days. The SIT has questioned employees and is reviewing records, counting procedures, bookkeeping, and fund deposits. A preliminary report is expected within days, and a final report next week. No formal police complaints have been received so far.

The counting process is overseen by trust member Anil Mishra, who is responsible for the entire donation chain. Subhash Srivastava, a retired bank official, directly supervises the counting, with shift incharges and supervisors for every four to five tellers. Employees involved are either State Bank of India staff outsourced by the bank, trust members, or local Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders.

Donation boxes are emptied when full, with at least four persons present, including trust staff and an SBI employee. The money is transferred to locked iron containers and moved to the counting room in carts under CCTV surveillance. At the centre, currency, coins, and jewellery are segregated and assigned to tellers. Staff cannot leave the hall except for toilet breaks or meals. After counting, cash is packed into bank containers, sealed, and transported to the SBI branch every morning. The bank deposits the amount into the trust's designated donation account after verification. The account is a 'no-cheque book' account, meaning funds are used only for specific purposes such as payments to vendors, contractors, or service providers.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on Friday, including the temple, as the investigation continues.