Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, June 21: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government for probing alleged irregularities in donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in its preliminary report is learnt to have pointed to systemic shortcomings in the handling of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
According to sources, the SIT observed flaws in the process of withdrawing cash, gold, and silver ornaments from donation boxes, transporting them to the counting centre, and carrying out the counting process. The report noted that the existing system required significant improvements and tighter oversight.
The SIT has reportedly detected discrepancies in records related to offerings, including gold, silver, and precious stones and directed the trust officials and temple functionaries not to leave Ayodhya. Sources said the instruction was issued by the three-member SIT before its members departed for Lucknow on Sunday.
The SIT met the UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sundau and submitted its preliminary investigation report. According to sources, the SIT briefed the Chief Minister about the investigation conducted at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya for approximately sixty hours over six days.
During the six-day intensive investigation, the team conducted over 60 hours of investigation and questioned over 150 suspects. All eyes are now on the evidence the SIT has uncovered in this case involving donations worth crores of rupees, and what further action may be taken.
The Uttar Pradesh government had constituted a three-member SIT on June 13 to probe the allegations following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Trust. The SIT comprises Vijay Vishwas Pant, Divisional Commissioner, Lucknow; Kiran S IG (Range); and Neel Ratan, Special Secretary, Finance. The committee has been directed to submit its preliminary and final reports as soon as possible.
Sources said the SIT also flagged deficiencies in the mechanism used to transport donation money to banks. As per prescribed norms, cash should be stored in a double-lock system, with the two keys held by different individuals. However, investigators reportedly found that this protocol was not being properly followed.
The preliminary report does not name any senior office-bearers of the temple trust. However, it reportedly highlights irregularities involving certain trust employees, SBI personnel, and staff of private firms engaged in the cash-counting process.
Sources added that the SIT’s meeting with Mr Adityanath was brief, as he had to leave for a scheduled meeting with the Governor. The report submitted so far is only a preliminary assessment. The SIT has been tasked with submitting its comprehensive report within 15 days.
The Ram Mandir has a total of 35 donation boxes installed in the Temple complex. All are opened twice daily. During this time, four employees from the Trust and the bank are present. The counting work is done in two shifts. The first shift starts at 8 am and continues until 2 pm. The second shift runs from 2 pm to 8 pm. Approximately 20 people work in each shift.
The offerings are counted in the basement of the Yatri Suvidha Kendra, about 200 meters from the Ram Temple. Anil Mishra’s cabin is right next to the counting room. Anil Mishra has also been questioned by the SIT. The SIT has questioned 150 people in the alleged offering theft case. It is believed that 25 people may face action. Currently, officials of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Trust have been barred from traveling outside the district. Employees named in the alleged offering theft case are also barred from traveling outside Ayodhya.
According to sources, one of the SIT’s key findings relates to the documentation of gold and silver jewellery, diamonds, and other precious stones offered by devotees at the Ram Temple. Investigators have reportedly uncovered discrepancies in the records and accounting of these valuable offerings.
Sources further claimed that during questioning, several trust officials were unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the inventory management, storage, and accounting procedures for gold, silver ornaments, and other valuables received as donations.
The sources also alleged that significant irregularities may have occurred during the Maha Kumbh Mela period in January and February 2025, when the temple witnessed a massive surge in the number of devotees and offerings.
They said nearly 10 lakh devotees visited the temple daily during the two-month period, and donation boxes were reportedly filled with currency notes within hours, making monitoring and accounting of donations a major focus of the SIT’s investigation.
According to the temple sources, the daily investigation reports, including those related to the questioning of trust officials and other persons connected with the investigation, have been saved in digital form, and the report would be given its final shape before being presented to Mr Adityanath.
At the same time, the SIT was sending reports of its findings to the Chief Minister’s Office on a daily basis, they said. The sources said the SIT’s probe did not remain limited to investigating the alleged embezzlement of funds, but has also covered the purchases of land in different phases by the temple trust, and also the procurement of building materials for the temple.
The temple trust had allegedly purchased land several times more than the market rates. The issue had been vocally raised by different political parties, including the Samajwadi Party and Aam Aadmi Party. On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted an SIT on a request from the temple trust following allegations of misappropriation of donations received at the Ayodhya Ram temple.
