The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has identified around 150 suspects. Of them, nearly 25 individuals may face action. People questioned by the SIT have been instructed not to leave the city until further orders.
The SIT is expected to complete its sixth day of investigation on Saturday and return to Lucknow. Sources indicate that the team may submit its report to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday.
According to sources, action against Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Dr Anil Mishra is being considered. Both could be removed from their positions. Ram Mandir construction in-charge Gopal Rao may also face similar action.
On Friday, the SIT spent nearly six hours inside the Mandir complex and questioned Champat Rai, Dr Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao separately. The team also interrogated officials of the State Bank of India, including the branch manager and cashier.
Investigators also wanted to question Anand, Gopal Rao’s nephew, and Mandir employee Somesh Anand. However, both were unavailable and their phones were reportedly switched off.
₹2 crore recovered so far
The SIT has recovered around ₹2 crore based on information provided by five accused — Lavkush, Avneesh, Anukalp, Karune and Ramshankar alias Tinnu. All were associated with counting donations collected at the Mandir.
Gold was recovered from Tinnu’s residence on June 13. Officials have not yet disclosed the quantity or value of the recovered items.
How the controversy unfolded
- The issue first came into the spotlight on June 7 when former Uttar Pradesh minister Pawan Pandey alleged that between ₹5 crore and ₹7.5 crore had been stolen from the Ram Mandir.
- Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also questioned the government’s silence, saying the matter warranted judicial scrutiny.
- Ram Mandir Trust General Secretary Champat Rai rejected the allegations, stating that no evidence of theft had surfaced.
- As the controversy escalated, BJP leader Dr Rajneesh Singh wrote to the Prime Minister on June 9 seeking a CBI investigation.
- A day later, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) sought a report from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on the allegations.
SIT questions donors in Ram Mandir offerings case; no receipt for silver gifts
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Amid the Ram Mandir donation theft controversy, Poonam Yadav, wife of Ramshankar alias Tinnu Yadav, denied all allegations against her husband and claimed he is being framed.
She said there is no evidence to support the accusations and alleged that attempts are being made to tarnish his image. “There is nothing of that sort. Does anyone have any concrete proof? They are only trying to defame him. He is being framed and his reputation is being damaged,” she said.
Poonam added that the family has been under severe stress for the past 15 days. “We are facing mental harassment and immense pressure,” she said.
Union Minister B. L. Verma said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is conducting a thorough investigation into the alleged Ram Mandir donation case. Reacting to the controversy, Verma said some people are trying to politicise the issue and alleged that those raising questions are the same people who had opposed the Ram Mandir movement in the past.
He said the SIT is examining all aspects of the matter and appropriate action will follow based on the findings of the investigation.
Sita Mandir Mahant Avnish Das condemned the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case, calling it a highly objectionable incident. He said whoever is responsible will face the consequences of their actions.
Referring to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s remarks, he said, “The truth will be established and facts will come to light.” He added that the SIT is carrying out its investigation properly and that anyone found guilty should be punished.
Saryu Nitya Aarti chief Mahant Shashikant Das said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted at the request of the trust to probe the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case. He said the investigation is underway and urged people to remain patient. “Give it a few days, and the truth will come out on its own,” he said.
Reacting to the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case, Hanumangarhi chief priest Mahant Sanjay Das said the SIT constituted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is investigating the matter and the truth is bound to emerge.
He said strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty, regardless of their position or influence.
“The SIT is conducting a thorough investigation. The truth will come out, and whoever is found responsible will face the strictest action, no matter how influential they may be,” he said.
The SIT is expected to return to Lucknow on Saturday after completing the sixth day of its investigation into the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case.
The team has spent nearly a week examining financial records, questioning temple officials and reviewing the handling of donations and valuables.
Sources said the SIT is likely to submit its findings to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday.
The report is expected to outline the team’s findings and recommend further action, if required.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Friday urged political leaders to avoid premature conclusions while the SIT probe into the Ram Mandir donation theft allegations is underway.
Speaking in Jhansi, Maurya said Ram Mandir is a symbol of faith for millions of devotees and allegations should be distinguished from proven facts.
Taking a swipe at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s remarks, Maurya said political statements should not precede the findings of the investigation.
“Making allegations is one thing; proving them is another. If any wrongdoing has taken place, those responsible will certainly be punished,” he said.
Maurya added that the SIT is conducting a detailed inquiry and that all stakeholders should wait for the report before drawing conclusions.
Responding to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s remarks on the donation theft controversy, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav renewed his demand for a detailed accounting of valuables offered at the Ram Mandir.
In a post on X, Akhilesh said the public now wants not just “milk separated from water” but “gold separated from gold and silver from silver” — a reference to establishing a clear account of temple assets.
He said an accounting must be provided for donated cash, precious metals, jewellery and consecrated stones associated with the temple.
The SP chief argued that all offerings made by devotees should be fully accounted for as the investigation progresses.
- Karni Sena national president Surajpal Ammu has alleged that attempts are being made to suppress the Ram Mandir donation theft case.
- Calling it a “major scam”, Ammu said the allegations require a thorough and transparent investigation.
- He demanded strict action against those found responsible and said the matter should not be brushed aside.
- “This is a serious issue and the truth must come out. Those involved should face action,” he said.
- Reacting to the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case, Ayodhya’s Rasik Peethadheeshwar Mahant Janmejay Sharan Maharaj described the matter as deeply disturbing and said such an incident was unimaginable.
- He urged the government and administration to conduct a fair and impartial investigation to establish the facts and take strict action against those found responsible.
- The seer said the case was not merely about financial irregularities but a matter linked to the faith of millions of Hindus.
- “This is a blow to the faith of crores of Hindus and cannot be forgiven,” he said, calling for exemplary action to ensure such incidents are not repeated in the future.
- The SIT is examining donation records from the Prayagraj Mahakumbh period, when more than five crore devotees visited the Ram Mandir over 66 days.
- Investigators are questioning how donations collected through temple donation boxes remained below ₹100 crore despite the massive footfall.
- The probe has expanded to Somesh Anand, a relative of construction in-charge Gopal Rao and head of the temple’s wheelchair service. Investigators are examining his role in temple operations.
- On June 18, the SIT questioned temple employees Mayank, Shivam Pandey, Ashish Dubey and Ratnesh as part of the investigation.
- Ashish Agnihotri, who assisted in managing gold, silver and other valuables offered to Ram Lalla, has also been questioned.
- Investigators are reviewing records of jewellery and precious-metal donations, including a case in which a woman devotee donated all her jewellery at the shrine.
- Employee Phoolkant Mishra, who was involved in the custody and maintenance of donated jewellery, has come under scrutiny and may be questioned.
- Sources said the SIT is tracing the handling, storage and accounting of valuable offerings made at the Ram Mandir.
The Uttar Pradesh government is considering appointing a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya amid scrutiny over the alleged donation theft case, sources said.
The proposal is modelled on the administrative structure at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and is aimed at strengthening financial transparency and accountability. A senior IAS officer could be entrusted with overseeing the trust’s administrative and financial affairs.
If approved, the CEO would supervise donation management, accounting procedures and day-to-day administration. The move is intended to introduce greater oversight and ensure better monitoring of temple finances.
Sources said discussions are underway between the government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. No final decision has been taken yet, but the proposal is being examined as part of efforts to improve governance and financial controls at the temple.
A fresh claim has surfaced amid the Ram Mandir donation theft controversy, with Dharm Sena founder Santosh Dubey alleging that 1,250 consecrated Shri Ram stones made of gold, silver, diamonds, gemstones and ashtadhatu have gone missing.
According to Dubey, the stones were brought to Ayodhya in 1989 after being worshipped in villages, towns and cities across India and abroad. They remained at Karsevakpuram until 2002.
While the consecrated clay stones are still preserved at Karsevakpuram, the metal stones are no longer visible, Dubey claimed. He further alleged that the responsibility for their upkeep rested with Ram Mandir Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, raising questions over their current whereabouts.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the alleged theft of donations at Ram Mandir. The panel comprises Lucknow Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant (IAS), IG Range Kiran S. (IPS) and Finance Department Special Secretary Neelratan. Kiran S. previously served as a DIG in the CBI. The team combines expertise in administration, policing and financial oversight.
Vijay Vishwas Pant: An IIT Kanpur graduate, Pant currently serves as Lucknow Commissioner. He is heading the SIT and will examine the temple’s donation management system and suggest improvements.
Kiran S.: With extensive experience in criminal investigations, he will probe the allegations of donation theft and oversee the law-enforcement aspect of the inquiry.
Neelratan: As Special Secretary in the Finance Department, he will scrutinise the temple’s audit records, donations and financial transactions before preparing the final report.
