Supreme Court Orders Probe Into Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft

The Supreme Court of India has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit a status report within one week regarding the embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued the directive following several public interest litigations seeking a CBI probe and a forensic audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The court also issued formal notices to the Central government, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

Preliminary SIT findings, based on CCTV footage from April 27 to June 5, revealed approximately 70 suspicious incidents where counting staff systematically hid cash in their clothing and footwear. The probe has led to the arrest of eight individuals and the recovery of 77 lakh rupees. In the wake of the scandal, trust general secretary Champat Rai and member Anil Mishra have resigned.

Political opposition has intensified, with leaders from the Indian National Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) alleging that the government is shielding the real masterminds. Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP and RSS of running a "racket of theft," while Aaditya Thackeray claimed embezzled funds were used to bribe legislators. In response, the trust is moving to professionalize its administration by recruiting its first-ever Chief Executive Officer. Nripendra Misra, Chairman of the Ram Temple Construction Committee, stated the CEO will handle financial arrangements and devotee amenities without government interference, emphasizing that the trust remains the supreme authority.