Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Fraud: Priyanka Gandhi Demands Transparent Probe

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a prominent Congress leader, has strongly condemned the alleged donation fraud concerning the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, terming it the 'gravest sin' that has 'stunned the entire nation'. In her statements, widely reported by various Indian media outlets, she emphasized that such an act shatters the fundamental spirit of religion and faith, calling for a thorough and transparent investigation. The controversy intensified after allegations surfaced regarding the misappropriation of funds donated by millions of devotees for the temple's construction. Priyanka Gandhi specifically questioned whether lower-level employees could have acted alone in switching off CCTV cameras and embezzling substantial amounts, suggesting the potential involvement of "powerful individuals" or "big sharks" in the alleged wrongdoing. She demanded strict punishment for all those found guilty, asserting that a cover-up in the name of investigation would be unacceptable. In response to these allegations and mounting public scrutiny, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the temple's construction, lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with Ayodhya police. The FIR named eight individuals, including Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Manish Yadav, Subhash Srivastava, Karunesh Pandey, and Ramashankar Mishra, along with other unknown persons, on charges of embezzlement, fraud, criminal conspiracy, and criminal breach of trust. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government initiated a probe into the matter. Following the SIT's preliminary report, all eight named accused were arrested and taken into custody. Investigations revealed that most of the arrested individuals were contract workers, hired through an outsourcing agency, involved in the cash counting process at the temple. Police sources indicated that CCTV footage recovered from the temple's Pilgrim Facility Centre showed at least five of the accused removing and hiding cash bundles during counting. So far, approximately ₹79.85 lakh in cash has been recovered from the accused, with police examining their financial transactions and assets. Further significant developments include the resignations of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra. Both submitted their resignations, taking moral responsibility amidst the ongoing controversy. The Trust officially accepted their resignations on July 6, 2026, during a crucial meeting. Subsequently, Krishna Mohan, a former Indian Forest Service officer and a member of the Trust, who had also filed the initial police complaint, was appointed as the officiating interim general secretary. The Trust also announced plans to strengthen its administrative and financial systems, including the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and to streamline the management of donations and records. The alleged fraud and subsequent developments have garnered widespread attention across India, raising questions about accountability and the management of public donations for religious institutions. Political parties, including the Congress, have seized upon the issue, demanding a high-level, independent probe and criticizing the handling of the matter, with some even calling for the dissolution of the current trust. The Trust, while accepting the resignations and backing the probe, has sought to reassure devotees that all valuable articles, including silver bricks and ornaments, are safe and properly documented, rejecting claims of missing donated valuables. Police continue their investigation, examining potential procedural security lapses and probing the roles of the arrested individuals in the alleged conspiracy. Three of the accused were also taken into police custody for further interrogation on July 8, 2026. The case underscores the critical need for robust oversight and transparency in the management of public funds, particularly those collected for projects of immense religious and cultural significance in India. The next meeting of the Trust is scheduled for July 22, 2026, to decide on the appointment of a new permanent trustee.

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