The Supreme Court has directed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expeditiously complete its probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The court also mandated the SIT to submit a sealed status report and consider suggestions from litigants for improving transparency and investigation quality.
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.
The Supreme Court will hear petitions on August 17 seeking a court-monitored SIT probe into alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, after deferring the original hearing due to the Solicitor General's UN engagement.
Over half of the employees engaged in counting donations at the Ram temple have resigned amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of offerings, reducing the strength of counting personnel to just around a dozen, sources said on Friday.
'But two things worked against them: People kept coming forward, and -- crucially -- these were not outsiders.'
The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of financial mismanagement and missing donations related to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya. The move follows a request from the Trust itself, amidst escalating political demands for transparency from various parties including the Samajwadi Party and Congress.
The Ram Temple trust in Ayodhya has implemented a new, two-shift system for counting cash donations, overseen by the State Bank of India (SBI), following an embezzlement scandal. A new team, including ex-servicemen and supervisors, has been deployed to enhance security and transparency in the process, aiming to prevent future theft and restore public trust.
The Supreme Court has issued a directive for the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, mandating that all donations must be deposited into official donation boxes or the online temple treasury. This comes amidst serious allegations of sevayats siphoning off funds and obstructing online donation methods, highlighting the need for a transparent mechanism in temple management.
'Earlier, people used to hand money directly to priests after a ritual, and priests would keep it in their own pockets. We completely stopped that practice.'
Following alleged thefts at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and other incidents, prominent temples across India, including Baba Balak Nath Temple in Himachal Pradesh and Ambaji temple in Gujarat, are implementing stringent new rules for counting offerings. These measures include mandatory pocketless clothing for staff, extensive CCTV surveillance, metal detector frisking, and promoting digital payments to ensure transparency, honesty, and accountability in donation management.
The Congress on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying not everyone in the BJP is a "chhanda chor" but all the "chhanda chors" are in the ruling party.
The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to appoint the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. A selection committee is expected to submit three shortlisted names on Wednesday, following an extensive search process that reviewed approximately 5,500 applications. This move comes after the Trust acknowledged that donation theft had harmed its image, aiming to ensure superior management and restore devotee faith.
Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan stated he is constantly under pressure from Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, particularly after disallowing Kharge's attempt to raise the alleged theft of Ayodhya Ram Temple donations. Radhakrishnan also mentioned disallowing Treasury benches from raising the "Jharkhand issue," asserting that state subjects cannot be debated in the House. The session saw continuous disruptions, leading to an adjournment.
The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has formed a four-member panel to investigate alleged irregularities in pilgrims' offerings and donations at Badrinath Dham. The allegations, which went viral on social media, have sparked political controversy in Uttarakhand, with the Congress demanding strict action. The inquiry will examine CCTV footage and statements, with a report due in seven days.
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.
Justice Atul Sreedharan of the Allahabad High Court has made strong observations on systemic corruption in India, suggesting the death penalty for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He criticised the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple and the Uttar Pradesh government's "bulldozer actions," highlighting the normalisation of corruption and the state's complicity in unauthorised constructions.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has invited applications for the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. This new position aims to strengthen administrative and financial management following alleged embezzlement concerns. The CEO will be appointed for a three-year term, overseeing various aspects from finance to pilgrim facilities, and must be an actively practising Hindu with specific managerial experience.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to hold crucial meetings to appoint a new general secretary, fill three vacant trustee posts, and deliberate on the appointment of the temple's first Chief Executive Officer (CEO), all while addressing the ongoing donation theft controversy and the Supreme Court's call for a fair investigation.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding an independent investigation into alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple. They highlighted that devotees feel betrayed and urged the Prime Minister to ensure accountability and make the Trust's financial affairs public. The controversy follows the arrest of eight people and the resignation of two Trust functionaries in connection with the alleged theft.
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.
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.
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.
RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has strongly condemned the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, stating it has deeply hurt sentiments. He called for a thorough investigation and severe punishment for those found guilty, while also urging patience from the Hindu community against "anti-Hindu" forces.
The Ram temple trust on Monday accepted the resignations of Champat Rai as its general secretary and member Anil Mishra in the wake of embezzlement of donations. Trustee Krishna Mohan has been named as interim general secretary. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust also announced the formation of a three-member committee to identify a chief executive officer (CEO) for the temple trust.
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.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said that the Congress will oppose the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill and the issue will also be discussed at the meeting of floor leaders of opposition parties on Monday.
The Rajya Sabha has passed The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, which aims to replace a British-era law and allow digital and virtual records to be admissible as evidence in courts. This legislation aligns with contemporary digital banking practices and extends a uniform evidential framework to various financial entities, including NBFCs and fintech companies. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the bill's role in strengthening public confidence and safeguarding customer privacy. The bill's passage, however, saw an Opposition walkout over unrelated issues.
The monsoon session of Parliament will set the tone for how the Hindu community feels about what happened at the Ram Mandir. Whether emotions will be stirred within the voters of India lies solely at the oratory skills of the Congressis and Samajwadis, notes Zainab Sikander.
A Congress spokesperson, quoted in media reports, summed up the party's thinking by saying, 'Whenever BJP is in trouble on the ground, a new 'apolitical' or 'alternative' party appears with the same ideology and the same backers.'
Police forces from several adjoining districts were requisitioned to man key junctions, sensitive locations and government buildings in the Lutyens' area ahead of the march.
'Only because of the absence of a dedication record in writing, how can such properties be treated as located on misappropriated government land?'
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The support of every Ram devotee from all over the country will be solicited for the grand temple to be built at the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, Rai said, adding that for this, Vishva Hindu Parishad activists will go from door to door, accompanied by venerated seers and others.
'We would try our best that the temple structure becomes visible in the next two years.'
It also asked why the data shared pertained to a period from April 2019 even though the scheme for anonymous political funding was introduced in 2017.
'There is no scope for any doubt. This was a scheme designed to enrich the ruling party.'
'A political party taking the law into its hands is objectionable, especially in the context of the 2002 incidents in Gujarat.'
'Our priority is how to reduce the waiting time for people for darshan.'
Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday dared Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for a public debate with him on issues relating to "inflated" power and water bills and women's safety among others.
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