By Dr. Gyan Pathak
The investigation so far, as on July 7, 2026, into the systematic theft worth rupees tens of millions of donations at Ram Temple of Ayodhya has clearly shown that it was the work of no-other than the people of RSS-BJP, and therefore, it has political consequence for the Hindutva juggernaut. Ram Temple for them has been a political symbol, and the theft has tarnished their image. No wonder they are now trying their best to limit the political damage, by showing that the wrongdoing is being investigated rather than concealed. However, investigation is not seen as impartial by large number of people, because the way it is being carried out leave many questions unanswered.
Uttar Pradesh is being ruled by the BJP under CM Yogi Adityanath, where the Ram Temple is situated, and which is managed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Uttar Pradesh is going to have general election in 2027, and hence the issue has acquired a political dimension, and controversy had developed into a major criminal investigation. The controversy began after allegations that cash, gold, silver, and other offerings donated by devotees had been systematically siphoned off during collection and counting process. Thereafter, the Uttar Pradesh government has no option but to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which submitted a preliminary report leading to criminal proceedings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Ram Temple in January 2024, when it was still under construction, as a political symbol of BJP’s achievement just before general election of the country. Ram Janmabhoomi- Babri Mosque controversy that began in 1948 was finally decided by the Supreme Court of India in 2019, that paved the way of construction of the temple, which was BJP’s one of the election promises. Hindu mob led by BJP-RSS-VHP had torn down the Babri Mosque in 1992, which was followed by nationwide Hindu-Muslim riots in which nearly 2000 people have died. The embezzlement of donations in Ram Temple, is therefore, has great political impact on the future of the BJP.
According to an estimate it attracts over 50 million visitors annually and has emerged as India’s one of the most important destinations for Hindu pilgrimage where devotees donate with open heart. In the first press conference, after the first meeting of the Ram Temple Trust after the theft came to light last month, the delay of which is unexplained, the trust had announced on July 6 that it accepted the resignations of its general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra in the wake of allegations of embezzlement of temple donations and appointed Krishna Mohan as acting general secretary.
The meeting was chaired by its president Gopal Das Maharaj. It also formed a three-member committee to select Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Committee includes retired Justice Pramod Kohli, Vishnukant Chaturvedi and Suresh Havde. A separate committee has also been formed to propose additional measures aimed at preventing such recurrences in the future. The trust indicated that other appointments will be done after the final report of the SIT. The SIT has submitted only its preliminary report but that was not made public, perhaps with a purpose, which the people will know in due course of time.
The trust said that it has received Rs3265 crore through donations and contribution since its inception, of which Rs 2,370 crore has been spent on construction and related work. Offerings received till March 31, 2026 totalled Rs582 crore of which Rs391 crore had been spent on temple operations, while the remaining amount had bee deposited in banks.
On July 7, treasurer of the Trust Swami Govind Dev Giri said that the trust holds over 32 kg of gold-like items and 1,518 kg of silver-like items among other valuable things. He said that 2,926 valuable article donated are safe. He said that 849.272 kg of refined silver obtained after government-supervised melting and refining of donated silver items.
As for action is concerned, FIR has been registered against eight individuals allegedly involved in handling temple donations, and were subsequently arrested. The charges include theft, criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy, and receiving stolen property. Nevertheless, only Rs80 lakh in cash has been reported recovered, along with other precious article of gold, silver, foreign currency etc. Authorities are still determining the extent of the theft.
SIT has found so far that mandatory frisking of personnel handling donations was not conducted. CCTV monitoring and preservation of footage were inadequate. Standard operating procedures for counting and securing donations were ignored. CCTV footage shows some accused concealing cash during the counting process.
FIR primarily targets staff, but SIT’s preliminary report pointed to administrative failure. It criticised trust functionaries, particularly one Anil Mishra, for mismanagement. Total embezzlement amount is yet to be established. Political parties have alleged theft of worth hundreds of crores which can’t be done only by individuals targeted by FIR or SIT.
It should be noted that internal suspicious reportedly arose in early 2026, months before the police registered an FIR on June 25, 2026. Discrepancies were found in early 2026 between the volume of offerings and bank deposits. Such a thing can’t happen without a big conspiracy involving Trust’s officials and big people associated with them. There was not a single theft, as SIT has already documented 70 theft incidents in over 40 days.
Investigation has therefore widened and SIT has ordered a five-year re-audit of the Trust’s finances. Investigators have begun examining expenditure on major temple-related events and projects. Bank officials, security staff and Trust employees were questioned.
The questions that are yet to be answered are – How much money was actually stolen? How long had the theft been occurring? Were higher officials complicit? Were donation funds also misused through expenditure decisions? And many more.
Ayodhya police is now considering narco-analysis and polygraph examinations of five jailed accused to unravel the larger conspiracy, and to establish the money trail, and involvement of other than those individuals, especially senior functionaries. Police have found discrepancies in statements of arrested individuals and others.
Nevertheless, the political impact is dependent less on theft but more on how the investigation ultimately concludes and how credible the government’s response is perceived to be. Ruling establishment is arguing on the basis of arrests and the formation of SIT that they are investigating and taking action in the case and not concealing anything. Resignations of two trusts officials and overhauling of the Trust are presented as accountability measures.
However, opposition has alleged that ruling BJP is protecting big people and functionaries and targeting only lower level staff. They are demanding transparency and accountability. Evidences suggest wider involvement and bigger conspiracy, and hence it will have greater political impact on political future of the BJP, because Ram Temple is their political symbol, which has tuned into a symbol of corruption behind the name of Lord Rama. (IPA Service)
