The Supreme Court will hear a batch of petitions seeking an independent probe into alleged financial irregularities at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on July 13. According to the Supreme Court website, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana will hear as many as three petitions when the apex court reopens on Monday. The petitioners are seeking court-monitored investigations into the alleged financial irregularities at the temple trust, which manages the affairs of the Ram temple.
On July 7, an Ayodhya court granted one-day police remand for three of the eight accused arrested in connection with the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple. The court authorised remand for Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra and Karunesh Pandey. On June 29, a local court had sent all the eight accused to 14-day judicial custody. The Supreme Court had earlier asked one of the petitioners to mention the case for urgent hearing on a later date, as reported by Business Standard. Meanwhile, Ayodhya Police initiated custodial interrogation of Anukalp Mishra, one of the three primary accused in the case, as reported by ANI.
The investigation has revealed serious financial irregularities at the Ram temple, with allegations including misappropriation of donations with investigations revealing improper counting practices and systemic concealment of cash by staff members during the donation counting process. According to the SIT probe, CCTV footage reviewed between April 27 and June 5 captured around 70 suspicious incidents of counting staff allegedly seen concealing cash bundles. The preliminary investigation found that part of the misappropriated money was allegedly invested in the share market and lent out on interest, while several transactions were routed through the bank accounts of relatives and close associates. The SIT's preliminary findings pointed to lapses in security protocols, stating "no frisking for staff at the entry and exit points of the counting hall, along with poor oversight of personal belongings carried in and out by employees." The alleged theft was described as "systematic" and repeated, rather than being isolated incidents, as reported by ANI.
Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Trust, has refuted reports that the trust has blocked VIP darshan pass IDs of Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao. According to ANI, Dinendra Das confirmed that passes are indeed being issued using Champat Rai's ID, stating "There is no issue as of now. This is still in place. I have no details otherwise; the existing system still continues." He dismissed concerns regarding security and management of donations, asserting that "We have faith in Ram Lalla, and the Chief Minister and the administration are fully aware and involved. We have full faith in the police; they are performing their duty." The alleged embezzlement has triggered a heated political row in Uttar Pradesh, with opposition figures including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav demanding accountability from the state government.
On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted the SIT on a request from the temple trust following allegations of misappropriation of donations received at the Ram temple. The SIT comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath defended the Ram temple trust, stating that "only six people were found stealing" out of nearly 150 people engaged in counting offerings, with two other people found to be part of the conspiracy, making a total of eight individuals. The chief minister emphasized that "the Trust itself informed the government that it had received inputs about alleged theft during the counting of donations and requested the constitution of a high-level SIT." CM Adityanath has repeatedly promised strict action against anyone found guilty of misappropriating funds meant for the temple, as reported by ANI.
