Politics is heated these days over the alleged embezzlement of donations and offerings in the Ram temple located in Ayodhya. This case is being investigated by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). Meanwhile, there is news that SIT may submit its preliminary report to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today (Monday, June 22).
According to officials associated with the case, the SIT stayed in Ayodhya for 6 days and investigated many important aspects and the team returned to Lucknow on Saturday. The people who have been interrogated by the SIT have been forbidden from leaving the city till further orders. An official of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said that the people concerned have been asked to wait for further instructions till the investigation is completed. These people may be interrogated again. SIT has interrogated Trust General Secretary Champat Rai.
SIT searched records of 71 acres of land
Officials said that in the SIT investigation, the purchases made by the Trust at various stages and the purchase of construction material for the temple were also investigated. The trust had purchased about 71 acres of land at rates 500% to 800% more than the market price. The process of purchase and payment done by the Trust at different stages has also been kept under scrutiny. SIT has searched the records of about 71 acres of land purchased by the temple trust. It is alleged that some lands were purchased at a price much higher than the market price.
Names of 150 suspects came to light during investigation
According to sources, during the 6-day investigation, names of 150 suspects came to light and action is likely to be taken against 25 of them. During the investigation, the SIT team examined many important aspects including CCTV footage, amount received from donation boxes, the process of counting the offerings and the entire process of depositing the money in the bank.
SIT reached Lucknow with evidence
On Saturday, SIT collected information about the bank accounts of all the suspects. After investigation, the team has taken all the documents and evidence with itself to Lucknow. People having knowledge of the matter said that this big embezzlement took place during the Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela in the beginning of 2025. The SIT is also investigating whether there were any irregularities in the management of donations and funds during that period.
The SIT also investigated matters related to the use of money received from the donation boxes of the temple, unnecessary expenses and purchase of land. Old records till 2021 were searched. Officials said that based on the disclosures of five persons involved in counting the donations in the temple – Lavkush, Avneesh, Anukalp, Karun and Ramshankar alias Tinnu, Rs 2 crore has been recovered so far. SIT is now preparing for further action on the basis of all the facts and evidence.
What is in the preliminary report of SIT?
Quoting sources, it is reported that in the preliminary report of the SIT, it has been said that the Kiram Mandir Trust should be reorganized and the responsibilities of all the members should be fixed equally. Along with this, an administrative officer should be appointed as the CEO of the Temple Trust. The Special Investigation Team should be given more time for a detailed investigation. The report has advised to adopt a professional approach for the management of the temple. At the same time, it has been asked to conduct weekly audit of the calculation of donation amount. Along with this, it has been asked to enter the cash coming in daily offerings in the temple and completely follow the instructions given by the Supreme Court regarding the operation of the trust. In the report, it has been asked to increase the data storage of CCTV cameras from 45 days to 180 days.
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