The Uttar Pradesh government has set up a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine allegations regarding the handling of donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The decision comes after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust requested an independent inquiry into claims that funds donated by devotees had gone missing. The trust sought the intervention of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, stating that an official probe was necessary to establish the facts and address what it described as misleading claims surrounding the issue.
Three senior officers included in SIT
According to official sources, the investigation panel consists of Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General Kiran S and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan.
The team has been instructed to submit an initial report within seven days, while a comprehensive final report is expected within 15 days.
The inquiry follows allegations made by leaders of the Samajwadi Party, who claimed that a large amount of money donated at the Ram Temple could not be accounted for.
Former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey alleged that between Rs 5 crore and Rs 7.5 crore had disappeared from temple donation boxes. Party president Akhilesh Yadav also demanded an impartial investigation into the matter.
The allegations triggered a political debate, prompting calls for greater transparency regarding the temple’s donation management system.
Trust rejects allegations
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has categorically denied any wrongdoing or financial irregularities.
Responding to the claims, Trust General Secretary Champat Rai said the trust regularly conducts internal audits in coordination with the State Bank of India. He stated that the auditing process, which is currently underway, involves detailed verification over several days and that no irregularities have been detected so far.
Donations subject to audit and monitoring
The trust has maintained that all donations are counted and verified through an established process involving bank officials, trust representatives and continuous CCTV monitoring.
The SIT is expected to review all aspects of the allegations and submit its findings within the timeline set by the state government.
