The Ayodhya Development Authority has issued a notice to the wife of a Ram temple donation theft accused for alleged unauthorised construction, as police intensify their investigation into the embezzlement case. Recoveries of cash, gold, silver, and a "Ramrajya Kosh" donation box have been made, and eight people have been arrested.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to convene in Ayodhya to discuss the preliminary report of the SIT investigating the Ram Temple donation theft. The agenda includes reviewing the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, considering the appointment of a CEO, and approving financial statements. The meeting comes amidst ongoing police and SIT investigations, with eight arrests made in connection with the theft.
''These people who were running the show at the Ram temple have something to hide, therefore they are not ready for a CBI investigation.'
A BJP MLA from Unnao, Anil Singh, has sparked controversy after a video showed him stating that those who embezzled donations from the Ram temple in Ayodhya would suffer from cancer and die painfully. His remarks come amidst a political row over alleged misappropriation of funds, leading to arrests and opposition criticism.
A political controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused state Congress chief Ajay Rai of participating in a fish feast in Ayodhya during the holy month of Shravan, near the Ram temple. Rai has vehemently denied the allegations, challenging Adityanath to provide proof and threatening to resign if proven, while also demanding the CM's resignation if no evidence is found. The Congress party has defended the event, stating it was a Nishad community gathering with their own food traditions.
The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust secretary, Champat Rai, has declined to provide financial details, including income, expenditure, and donations, citing an ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. This decision follows a complaint to the Prime Minister's Office by BJP leader Rajneesh Singh, seeking transparency on the utilisation of funds for the Ram temple project.
Opposition parties disrupted Lok Sabha proceedings on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, leading to multiple adjournments. Protests focused on the alleged NEET paper leak and Ram temple donation theft issues, with demands for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. The House was eventually adjourned for the day after repeated appeals for order failed.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple has submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government. The SIT, formed on June 13 following requests from the temple trust, is continuing its investigation and expects to submit a final report within 10-15 days. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav had previously raised concerns about missing donations and demanded transparency in the probe.
A Solapur court has issued a temporary injunction preventing the Pandharpur temple committee from applying a chemical protective coating on the idol of Lord Vitthal. The decision came after devotees argued that modern chemicals violate religious traditions, while the committee cited preservation needs ahead of the Ashadi Ekadashi pilgrimage. The court emphasised the idol's ownership by devotees and the lack of immediate emergency for the controversial coating.
The Ayodhya Police are intensifying their investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, preparing to seek custodial remand for three more accused. A Special Investigation Team's preliminary report found prima facie evidence of theft and pilferage during donation counting, with CCTV footage showing personnel concealing cash.
The Ayodhya Police are intensifying their investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, preparing to seek custodial remand for three more accused. A Special Investigation Team's preliminary report found prima facie evidence of theft and pilferage during donation counting, with CCTV footage showing personnel concealing cash.
Ayodhya police have conducted fresh searches in the ongoing investigation into alleged donation embezzlement at the Ram temple, recovering a donation box with a QR code, cash, gold, silver, and foreign currency. The probe has also widened to include around 400 private security personnel.
Two men, including a priest, were injured after a 27-year-old man stabbed them with a screwdriver inside a gurdwara in Edmonton, Canada. The suspect, who has a history of violent attacks and was recently released from prison, has been arrested, and police are investigating whether the incident was hate-motivated.
Umar Ganie captures glimpses from the Chhari-Mubarak procession as sadhus and devotees begin the final journey to the Amarnath cave shrine.
The brother of Champat Rai, who resigned as the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, on Monday defended him against allegations of embezzling donations for the Ram temple, saying his brother had sacrificed both his personal life and career for the Ram temple movement and the service of the nation.
'But two things worked against them: People kept coming forward, and -- crucially -- these were not outsiders.'
Former Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and ex-trustee Anil Mishra, who had stepped down amid a temple donation theft controversy, are now actively holding meetings and interacting with seers in Ayodhya. This re-emergence coincides with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) sharing its final report on alleged irregularities in Ram temple donations with the Trust, sparking speculation about its findings.
Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, chairman of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, has been admitted to the ICU of a private hospital in Lucknow due to a urinary tract infection.
A Kanwariya, Golu Kumar (25), was shot dead in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, while on his way to offer water at the Baba Garibnath Temple. The incident occurred near Brahmapur Khakhan village. Police are investigating the murder, noting the victim had received a death threat earlier.
The Press Club of India clarified it did not organise an event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cutout was worshipped and a 'Modi Chalisa' was read. The event, organised by the Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board, was stopped by club authorities due to violation of rental terms. The organiser plans to build a temple for PM Modi in Bihar, citing his support for the transgender community.
A primary school teacher, a former car mechanic, a retired bank employee and a trusted aide of a senior Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust functionary -- people from diverse backgrounds are among the eight arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Under the lens over serious lapses in the donation management system at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Govind Dev Giri, has said that all audit reports were "safe" and that he had no role in the daily donation collection process at the temple.
Ayodhya Police conducted simultaneous raids at the residences of eight individuals arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple. The raids followed their remand to judicial custody, with police expected to seek custodial remand. The accused were involved in counting donations, and investigators have recovered Rs 79.85 lakh so far in a case registered under various sections including the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Faizabad Bar Association in Ayodhya has resolved that its members will not represent the eight individuals accused of embezzling donations from the Ram Temple, imposing a Rs 5 lakh penalty on any lawyer who violates this decision. The association also demanded that Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao, associated with the temple management, leave Ayodhya within three days, threatening a city blockade if they do not comply.
The famed Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya temple in Guwahati is set to begin, with the administration expecting around eight lakh devotees over the next four days. The temple doors will close on Monday night for the 'prabritti' period, symbolising the annual menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya, and reopen on June 26.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray criticised the BJP, accusing it of betraying Hindus by allegedly embezzling donations for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He vowed to lead protests for "BJP-mukt Ram" and questioned the BJP's Hindutva, calling it a "Pakistan Janata Party" for its alleged party-splitting tactics and questioning citizenship. Thackeray also targeted rebel MPs, including Sanjay Deshmukh, for their defection.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is holding a crucial meeting to discuss ongoing investigations into alleged embezzlement of donations. Key agenda items include the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, financial approvals, and the appointment of a CEO for the Ram temple's management.
A slab of a Hanuman temple collapsed in Yashwadi village, Parbhani district, Maharashtra, resulting in the deaths of at least three people and injuries to several others. A rescue operation is underway, and approximately 25 individuals have been rescued so far. The incident occurred on a Saturday, a day when the temple typically sees a large number of devotees.
India has scores & scores of ancient temples, many dating back to Before the Common Era. Hinduism flourished beyond India's borders too. Where are the oldest temples elsewhere in the world?
A 51-year-old priest, Dilip alias Chandu Lala, was found dead in a Hanuman temple in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, after allegedly being attacked on the head by unidentified assailants. Police have launched an investigation, formed multiple teams, and sent the body for post-mortem.
A Lucknow-based jeweller has raised concerns about the untraceable status of a three-kg silver lamp and other silver items he and his association donated to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. His claims come amidst allegations of fund embezzlement at the temple, prompting a state-level SIT investigation ordered by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for June 29 on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the registration of an FIR and a time-bound probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government has questioned Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and administrator Gopal Rao regarding allegations of donation money theft and financial mismanagement at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a comprehensive probe into alleged donation irregularities at Mumbai's famous Siddhivinayak Temple. The directive follows allegations by MNS chief Raj Thackeray of Rs 18 crore being siphoned off annually, leading to the arrest of nine employees and a demand for independent inquiries. The probe will examine the temple's records from the last five years.
Lawyers of the Faizabad Bar Association on Thursday took out a protest march here and submitted a police complaint seeking an FIR against Ram Mandir Trust general secretary Champat Rai, trust member Anil Mishra and temple official Gopal Rao over alleged embezzlement of donation funds.
Delhi Police have arrested a 24-year-old man named Rohit for allegedly burgling a Hanuman temple in Burari, north Delhi. Stolen idols and religious articles were recovered, and the accused was apprehended based on CCTV footage and technical surveillance while attempting to sell the stolen goods.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has strongly criticised the Faizabad Bar Association's resolution to prevent advocates from representing those accused in the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, calling the move 'unethical and unlawful' and a violation of constitutional principles and professional ethics.
The Supreme Court has declined an urgent hearing on a plea demanding a fair and time-bound investigation into alleged embezzlement of donations at the revered Ram temple in Ayodhya, deferring the matter until after the summer break.
An elderly priest, Milan Das (60), was allegedly stabbed to death by unidentified assailants at an under-construction temple in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. The incident led to local protests, and police have launched an investigation, forming multiple teams to apprehend the culprits.
Investigators recovered nearly Rs 80 lakh in cash and some foreign currency from six of the accused.
