SIT to Re-Audit Ram Temple Trust Accounts for Five Years Amid Donation Irregularities
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is expected to conduct a fresh audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's accounts for the past five years, according to government sources on Friday (July 3, 2026). The preliminary investigation had indicated large-scale anomalies and irregularities in the trust's financial records.
The re-audit will cover construction-related expenditures as well as jewellery, gold, and silver items received as donations. The SIT team will scrutinise the trust's financial records for the entire five-year period. The SIT comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General (Lucknow Range) Kiran S., and Special Secretary in the State Finance Department Neelratan Kumar. The team visited the Ram Temple on Friday and spoke with multiple individuals.
Meanwhile, the Ayodhya police interrogated key suspect Avinash Shukla, who was part of the donation-counting process at the temple and had been arrested earlier in connection with the case. A local court remanded him to police custody for 24 hours on Thursday (July 2, 2026). He is among eight accused arrested so far in the case.
The SIT has already questioned Trust general secretary Champat Rai, trustee Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao, who has been involved in the temple's construction and management. Mr. Rai and Mr. Mishra have submitted their resignations, and the Trust is expected to decide on them at its meeting on July 6.
Amid a political controversy over the case, Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad urged the public to have faith in the investigation. "Corruption existed in the past too, but everything used to be hushed up. Previous governments used to give protection to the corrupt. In our tenure, however, these cases are being exposed, and punishments are being handed out," he said. "One should have faith in the investigation. Instead of making statements to shield the accused and mislead the public, one should support the action taken against corruption. The investigation follows a specific process until the file is closed. No one can be accused without evidence."
