The Ayodhya Ram Temple has faced allegations of financial irregularities involving donations, jewellery, gold and other offerings from devotees. Legal petitions seek an independent probe, while the temple trust denies wrongdoing. The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a three-member SIT to investigate the claims.
The newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya, one of India’s most significant religious landmarks, has come under scrutiny following allegations of financial irregularities involving donations and offerings made by devotees. Nearly two-and-a-half years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the grand temple dedicated to Lord Ram, allegations have emerged claiming that cash donations, jewellery, gold, silver and other valuable offerings worth crores of rupees may have been misused.
The controversy has triggered political debate, public concern and legal action, with petitions being filed before constitutional courts seeking an independent investigation into the matter. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the temple affairs, has denied any wrongdoing and maintained that the donation management system is transparent and regularly audited.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the allegations.
Background: Ayodhya Temple and Its Historical Importance
The Ram Temple stands at a site in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, that has remained at the centre of a decades-long religious, political and legal dispute.
Many Hindus believe Ayodhya to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. The dispute over the land involved the Babri Masjid, a 16th-century mosque that was demolished by Hindu activists in 1992, leading to widespread communal violence across India in which nearly 2,000 people were killed.
After years of litigation, the Supreme Court in 2019 awarded the disputed site for the construction of a Ram Temple and directed that alternate land be provided for a mosque.
The construction of the temple became one of the major political commitments of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The temple was inaugurated in January 2024 and has since emerged as one of India’s largest pilgrimage destinations. The three-storey temple complex, spread across approximately 2.7 acres, attracts millions of visitors every year.
Allegations Over Temple Donations
The controversy began after allegations surfaced regarding the handling of offerings received from devotees. The temple receives donations through multiple channels, including cash boxes installed inside the premises where pilgrims deposit money and valuables. The temple complex reportedly receives tens of thousands of visitors daily, with the number increasing significantly during weekends and religious festivals.
According to reports, the trust recorded an annual income of around Rs 3.27 billion during the financial year 2024-25, making it one of the highest-earning religious institutions in India.
A former member associated with the trust’s accounts team, Mahipal Singh, raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the handling of donations. Singh claimed that he was removed from his position after raising questions internally regarding the management of cash offerings and precious items donated by devotees. He later became publicly known as a whistleblower in the matter. However, the allegations made by Singh have not been independently verified.
FIR Registered After SIT Inquiry and Temple Trust Denies Any Wrongdoing
Following the growing controversy, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a Special Investigation Team to look into the allegations. After receiving an initial report from the SIT, Ayodhya Police registered a case alleging financial misconduct.
Eight individuals have reportedly been named in the case and taken into custody for questioning. Police officials stated that further investigation would determine the exact nature of the alleged irregularities and the role of those involved.
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The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has rejected allegations of corruption. Trust general secretary Champat Rai stated that the process of collecting, counting and recording donations is carried out under supervision and involves trustees, employees and officials of the State Bank of India. In a video statement, Rai said that the entire process is subject to checks and audits.
He added,
“This work continues for several days. This is what is happening nowadays. No-one has noticed any discrepancy yet,”
The trust has maintained that no evidence of misuse has been found so far.
Political Reactions and Demand for Independent Probe
The allegations quickly became a political issue, with opposition leaders demanding greater transparency. Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav questioned the management of temple donations and sought accountability from those responsible for handling offerings.
Ayodhya MP Awadhesh Prasad also demanded a court-monitored investigation and suggested that trust members should be removed from their positions until the inquiry is completed.
Several BJP leaders also called for clarity and a proper investigation into the allegations. Local BJP leader Rajneesh Singh sought an inquiry into the claims and the people responsible for managing temple donations.
The allegations have deeply affected many residents of Ayodhya, who consider the Ram Temple a symbol of faith and cultural importance. Several locals expressed disappointment over the controversy, saying donations made by devotees are meant for temple maintenance and public welfare.
One resident said that offerings made by pilgrims are sacred and should not become a source of personal benefit. Another resident described the allegations as damaging to public trust in a place considered spiritually significant. Ajay Kumar Varma, a local resident, described Ayodhya as “god’s abode” and said such allegations should not arise in such a place.
Demand for CBI Investigation
Despite the ongoing SIT investigation, demands have grown for the matter to be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Several petitions have reportedly been filed before the Supreme Court and High Court seeking judicial supervision of the probe.
A lawyer also wrote to the Prime Minister, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Chief Justice of India requesting a CBI inquiry, arguing that the matter concerns the faith of millions of devotees.
The lawyer stated:
“These were not ordinary commercial receipts, but sacred offering. Any diversion or embezzlement of funds constitutes a profound betrayal of the faith reposed by millions of devotees in one of the most sacred institutions of Hindu faith.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged people not to draw conclusions before the investigation is completed. He appealed to anyone having information related to the allegations to cooperate with investigators.
The Chief Minister said the SIT would establish the facts and requested devotees to wait for the outcome of the inquiry. He also remarked that people who had waited centuries for the construction of the Ram Temple could wait a little longer for the investigation process to conclude.
The Supreme Court Petition
The petition filed by practising advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav submitted that a CBI-led multi-disciplinary special investigation team (SIT) should probe alleged financial irregularities and other alleged illegal actions relating to the functioning and administration of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The petition has sought directions to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Trust to set up and operationalise regulatory, supervisory, and audit mechanisms as may be required to protect public interest and maintain the confidence of millions of devotees and donors.
The plea stated,
“Whether or not the reports regarding missing funds and other alleged irregularities concerning the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust are ultimately found to be true, such reports have caused deep concern among the generations that struggled for the restoration of the glory of Ayodhya,”
The petition further said that the SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government has started examining the allegations without registration of an FIR or initiation of any regular criminal case.
According to the plea, the truth of the reports regarding alleged missing funds and other purported irregularities involving the Trust should be independently verified through a professional investigation by a unified agency with the necessary expertise, resources, and institutional systems to handle complex financial and criminal matters.
The plea said,
“Such an inquiry would inspire greater public confidence than a preliminary probe conducted by a special investigation team (SIT) comprising administrative officers who may not possess specialised credentials in criminal investigation,”
The petition argued that the issues involved go beyond potential commission of cognisable offences, and directly impact the faith, sentiments, and confidence of countless devotees and the public at large.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court asked a petitioner to appear before it on June 29 and place on record his request for registration of an FIR and a fair, independent, and time-bound investigation into allegations of embezzlement involving donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The case was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi. During Thursday’s proceedings, one of the petitioners mentioned the matter and sought listing for hearing on June 29.
The controversy has attracted nationwide attention because of the temple’s religious, cultural and political significance.
While the investigation is still underway and allegations remain to be established, the issue has raised broader questions about transparency, accountability and governance of large religious institutions.
The final findings of the SIT and any subsequent judicial proceedings are expected to determine whether there was any financial wrongdoing or whether the allegations were unfounded.
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