Ram Mandir Donation Row: RJD MP Seeks Audit Amid Probe

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, responsible for the construction and management of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, has recently come under intense scrutiny regarding alleged financial irregularities in the handling of donations. The controversy escalated significantly when Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh issued a legal notice to the Trust, demanding comprehensive financial disclosures. Issued through Supreme Court advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, the notice, dated June 18, 2026, is addressed to Trust President Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, General Secretary Champat Rai, and Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri. It specifically seeks an itemized, year-wise account of donations and expenditures from the financial year 2021-22 to 2025-26, along with audited balance sheets, income and expenditure statements, auditors' reports, bank account details, records of land purchases, and any foreign contributions received under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), all to be provided within three days. These demands from the RJD MP are part of a broader political row that began earlier in June 2026, following allegations of financial misappropriation. Former Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA from Ayodhya, Pawan Pandey, claimed that between ₹7 crore and ₹7.5 crore in donations meant for the Ram Mandir had been siphoned off. Further reports highlighted other alleged irregularities, including cash-counting staff potentially recording lower amounts than actual cash collected, questionable handling and accounting of gold, silver, and other valuables, and even the alleged deletion of CCTV footage from cash-counting areas. A former employee associated with the Trust's accounting, Mahipal Singh (reportedly a senior RSS worker), also claimed to have noticed irregularities and named individuals allegedly involved. Additionally, Santosh Dubey, an activist associated with the Ram Mandir agitation, filed a written complaint with the Ram Janmabhoomi Police Station, seeking a case against Trust Secretary Champat Rai and three others for allegedly embezzling donations. In response to these mounting allegations, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, through its General Secretary Champat Rai, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Rai has consistently maintained that the Trust adheres to robust financial management practices, including regular internal audits, some of which are conducted in coordination with the State Bank of India (SBI). He asserted that these audits have not revealed any significant discrepancies. Amid the escalating controversy, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations of irregularities. This SIT was constituted on June 13 or 14, 2026, reportedly at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust itself, which sought an impartial inquiry to counter what it described as misinformation and attempts to tarnish the temple's image. The SIT is headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, with Inspector General of Police (Lucknow range) Kiran S. and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar as its other members. The team has been tasked with submitting a preliminary report within seven days and a final report within 15 days. Opposition parties, particularly the Congress and Samajwadi Party, have been vocal in demanding a more thorough investigation. The Congress, through its Uttar Pradesh chief Ajay Rai and Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra, called for a time-bound judicial probe supervised by a sitting High Court judge. They rejected the state government's SIT, citing concerns about the impartiality of the appointed officer and alleging a "farce" of an inquiry. Congress leaders have claimed an "organised loot" of hundreds of crores, with some estimates reaching over ₹1,400 crore, and accused the BJP and RSS of siphoning off funds. Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party chief, initially flagged the issue on June 7, alleging that crores of rupees were missing and demanding judicial intervention and public release of CCTV footage related to donation counting. He also questioned the state government's "suspicious" silence on the matter. The political dimension of the controversy also saw UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak counter-attacking Akhilesh Yadav, questioning the whereabouts of donations for the Babri Masjid and accusing the opposition of playing "appeasement and vote-bank politics." Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also criticized the BJP, alleging that "theft" had become widespread within the ruling party and accusing them of stealing from the Ram Mandir's offerings. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while maintaining silence on the specific corruption allegations, has continued to politicize the Ram Temple by crediting the 'double-engine' governments for its construction and invoking historical grievances of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Further developments include the recovery of ₹10 lakh to ₹12 lakh from the residence of a temple employee, Lavkush Mishra, who was reportedly involved in counting offerings, raising further suspicions about financial misconduct. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI inquiry and an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has also been filed in the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. The total donations and receipts since 2020 amounted to ₹4,575 crore, with significant funds remaining after construction expenditures, placed in fixed deposits. The ongoing investigation by the SIT, coupled with persistent demands from the opposition for greater transparency and accountability, highlights the sensitive intersection of faith, politics, and public trust in India. The outcome of these probes and the legal challenges will be crucial in addressing the concerns raised by devotees and political leaders alike.

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