The Supreme Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government's Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit a status report on the alleged embezzlement of donation money at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The court also issued notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following pleas for a fair and time-bound probe, including demands for a CBI investigation and a CAG audit of the temple trust's finances.
The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged irregularities in the Ram temple donation funds, a move welcomed by the Ram Mandir Construction Committee chairperson. The trust itself requested the inquiry to counter misinformation, while an opposition MP demanded a Supreme Court judge-led investigation.
Ayodhya Police have taken Ram Shankar Yadav into custody following an FIR alleging embezzlement of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The complaint, lodged by a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, names nine individuals and others for systematic theft and misappropriation of funds. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, and its preliminary findings led to the FIR. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has vowed a 'zero-tolerance' policy and urged evidence submission to the SIT.
Former Ram temple trust chief Champat Rai has stated he will address all allegations of donation embezzlement against him only after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submits its final report. Rai, who observed 'maun dharan' (silence) on the matter, highlighted that the SIT's preliminary report has already been made public. The trust has appointed an interim general secretary and acknowledged the theft from donation boxes, while also appreciating Rai's contributions.
The investigation into alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya has broadened to include private security personnel. Around 400 guards are under scrutiny for their roles in managing entry, exit, and offerings, with police examining duty records, CCTV footage, and potential negligence or complicity in theft. This follows the arrest of eight individuals and the resignation of two trust members after a Special Investigation Team was formed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien questioned the Enforcement Directorate's decision to freeze three of the party's bank accounts, worth Rs 440 crore, under the anti-money laundering law. He controversially asked when the ED would freeze "temple funds," in an apparent reference to alleged financial irregularities at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, amidst opposition demands for a judicial probe into the matter.
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.
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.
Lawyers from the Faizabad Bar Association plan to approach the court after police allegedly refused to register an FIR against former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust members Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao in a Ram temple donation embezzlement case. The lawyers had filed a complaint on July 2 and are seeking a fair investigation into the allegations.
Larger NGOs could no longer work with smaller ones, especially those organisations working on the ground that had no means of or expertise in raising money themselves, reveals Aakar Patel.
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.
'SIT means nothing because the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh and Ram Janmabhoomi Trust are the same people.'
BJP leader and former MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has claimed knowledge of alleged misuse and theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, stating he is not yet ready to reveal the truth due to powerful individuals involved. He also commented on the NEET paper leak controversy, defending the Union Education Minister.
Local legal practitioners in Ayodhya are considering a unanimous refusal to defend the eight individuals accused in the Ram temple donations embezzlement case. The Faizabad Bar Association is set to make a final decision, driven by strong local sentiment against the alleged theft of temple offerings.
The police investigating the "embezzlement" of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya have scrutinised the bank accounts of relatives of the eight arrested accused as they seek to establish the money trail behind the alleged diversion of funds, sources said on Friday.
A controversy has erupted in Latur, Maharashtra, over the accounting of donations collected for a religious event, with organisers alleging irregularities and filing a complaint with the police.
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.
Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, acknowledged supervisory lapses at the Ayodhya Ram temple following alleged donation theft, but stated he would not resign as he does not consider himself personally at fault. He estimated the theft could be around Rs 3 crore and criticised SBI for not verifying employee credentials.
The police sealed the room in the rented house of the accused. The police have taken the DVR of the CCTV camera installed at Mishra's rented house into their custody, official sources said.
Eight individuals have been arrested in Ayodhya in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple. The arrests follow an FIR lodged by a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, based on recommendations from a Special Investigation Team. The accused were involved in counting cash and valuables and face charges including theft and criminal breach of trust.
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.
The Supreme Court on Monday took note of setting up of a four-member SIT headed by IGP Kiran S to probe alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and asked the Uttar Pradesh government to also include a forensic auditor in the probe team.
Police investigating the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya have requested seven-day custody for two jailed accused, Ram Shankar Yadav and Subhash Srivastava. This request follows new disclosures that necessitate further verification and recovery of evidence. The court is set to hear the remand application on July 14, as investigators scrutinise financial transactions and property purchases to trace the diverted funds.
A spiritual preacher, Kishor Dhondiram Jadhav alias 'Pistulya Maharaj', and his associates have been booked in Latur, Maharashtra, for allegedly misappropriating Rs 3.6 crore collected during a religious event. The funds were meant for temple construction but were unaccounted for, leading to protests by Warkaris.
Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said the alleged embezzlement of donations to the Ram Temple at Ayodhya has pained devotees, but stressed strict action will be taken against those found guilty in the case.
The Supreme Court is set to hear a batch of petitions on July 13 seeking a fair and time-bound probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, with petitioners requesting a CBI investigation and a CAG audit of the temple trust's finances.
Taxpayers must provide more details to support deduction and exemption claims.
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.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that crores of rupees from donations made to the Ram Temple are missing, calling the situation "extremely sensitive" and "highly embarrassing." He has urged the court to take suo motu cognisance, while a member of the temple trust has suggested an inquiry if doubts persist.
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to apprise it about the possibility of setting up an SIT to probe the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and cautioned the litigants not to politicise the issue.
Senior Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust functionary Champat Rai has reportedly resigned, stating his "service in Ayodhya is complete" due to the donation embezzlement controversy. He feels "betrayed," and his future, along with that of Trust member Anil Mishra, will be decided at a July 6 meeting. The controversy began with allegations from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, leading to an SIT investigation, arrests, and Rai's resignation offer.
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.
Authorities in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir have issued an order regulating the collection of donations during Ramzan to prevent unauthorized fundraising and ensure transparency.
A new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals a significant increase in donations to national parties in India, with the BJP receiving the overwhelming majority, surpassing the combined total of all other national parties by more than tenfold.
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.
People across Kashmir have donated generously to Iran, which has been ravaged by war. Donations included cash, gold, silverware, and copper utensils. A woman even donated gold kept as a memento of her husband, who died 28 years ago. The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi has expressed its gratitude for the support.
