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A warning was given. No one listened. And now, one of the most sacred institutions in India stands at the centre of a financial scandal that has shaken the nation.
The Explosive Revelation
The Indian Express has published an exclusive investigation revealing that a private audit firm — commissioned shortly after the formation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in November 2020 — had already warned of the chaos to come.
The audit’s key finding: the Trust had received over Rs 3,500 crore in cash donations (along with jewellery and other offerings), but there was a complete absence of systemic records and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling such massive funds.
The warnings went unheeded.
What the SIT Found
In June 2026, following escalating allegations of misappropriation and theft of temple donations, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) — at the request of the Trust itself.
The SIT has now submitted a preliminary report to the state government, reportedly identifying:
- Discrepancies in documentation of precious metals — gold, silver, and diamonds
- Lack of strict dress codes for cash-counting personnel, raising theft risks
- Compromised CCTV monitoring inside donation-counting areas
- Negligence in the transportation and storage of donation boxes
- Personnel with no proper background verification handling crores in cash and jewellery
No FIR Filed — Opposition Furious
Despite the scale of the alleged irregularities, no formal FIR has been registered as of late June 2026. This has drawn sharp criticism from:
- Opposition parties, who accuse the government of shielding the accused
- Legal petitioners, who argue that an investigation without an FIR “lacks legal weight” and risks evidence tampering
The SIT has, however, directed all temple functionaries under probe not to leave Ayodhya while the investigation continues.
The Supreme Court Petition
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court demanding:
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- A CBI-led, court-monitored investigation
- Registration of an FIR immediately
- Freezing of temple assets pending probe
The Political Fireworks
The controversy has exploded into a full-scale political battle:
- Former Trust construction committee chief Nripendra Misra (a senior BJP leader) has reportedly called it “open robbery” — a stunning admission from within the BJP ecosystem
- UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has pushed back, saying asking questions about the Mandir is an “insult to Ayodhya”
- Congress and opposition parties are calling for Yogi’s accountability and a Supreme Court-monitored probe
Nripendra Misra’s Bombshell
Perhaps the most jarring moment in this saga is former bureaucrat and BJP leader Nripendra Misra — who supervised the temple’s construction — openly stating that “those who were meant to protect Ram Mandir funds looted it.”
When even insiders are saying this, the question is no longer if something went wrong — but how much has gone missing.
What Happens Next?
The SIT is expected to submit its final report soon. All eyes are now on whether:
- An FIR will be registered
- Any named individuals will be arrested
- The Supreme Court steps in to take over the probe
For millions of devotees who donated to the Ram Mandir with faith, this is not just a legal matter. It is a betrayal.
What do you think should happen next? Comment below.
