AYODHYA, July 13: The investigation into the alleged misappropriation of donations received at the Ram Temple has entered a significant stage, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) expected to return to Ayodhya for a detailed review of financial records and fresh questioning of individuals associated with the temple’s donation management system. Officials familiar with the inquiry said the next phase will focus on examining documentary evidence, verifying financial transactions, and identifying whether procedural lapses enabled the alleged diversion of temple funds.
The SIT, established by the Uttar Pradesh Government on June 13, has already completed its preliminary inquiry and is now preparing for an expanded investigation before submitting its final findings to the state administration.
Fresh Round of Investigation Planned
Sources indicated that the SIT is likely to conduct another round of questioning involving officials, employees, and other individuals connected with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s donation collection and counting mechanism.
Investigators are expected to inspect financial records, donation registers, banking documents, CCTV records wherever available, and other administrative files related to cash handling procedures.
Officials believe that collecting additional statements and documentary evidence will help determine whether weaknesses in supervision contributed to the alleged financial irregularities.
SIT Formed Following Serious Allegations
The Uttar Pradesh Government constituted the Special Investigation Team after allegations surfaced regarding the alleged embezzlement of donations offered by devotees at the Ram Temple.
The investigation is being supervised by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, who submitted an initial report to the state government on June 23.
That preliminary assessment highlighted areas requiring deeper examination, prompting authorities to continue the investigation instead of closing the inquiry after the first phase.
Recognizing the complexity of the financial transactions involved, the government later extended the SIT’s tenure by an additional fifteen days to facilitate further investigation.
Detailed Financial Examination Underway
Investigators are now conducting an extensive audit of the donation management process.
The probe includes verification of:
Cash collection procedures
Cash counting protocols
Daily deposit records
Banking transactions
Internal supervision mechanisms
Security arrangements during cash handling
Officials aim to establish whether existing systems were adequate and whether any violations of standard operating procedures created opportunities for financial misconduct.
Trust Reviews Banking Arrangements
Alongside the police investigation, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has reportedly begun reviewing its existing banking framework for handling donations.
Currently, cash collected through temple donation boxes is deposited into the State Bank of India branch located at Naya Ghat in Ayodhya.
However, following the controversy, the trust is evaluating alternative options, including:
Engaging additional banking institutions
Splitting deposits among multiple banks
Strengthening monitoring mechanisms
Introducing improved cash security procedures
Officials believe diversification of banking operations may improve transparency and reduce operational risks.
Security Protocols Come Under Scanner
One of the major areas examined during the investigation concerns the security procedures followed while counting large volumes of cash collected from devotees.
According to sources, investigators are reviewing whether mandatory safeguards were consistently implemented during counting operations.
Among the issues reportedly examined are:
Frisking of personnel involved in cash counting
Use of pocketless uniforms
Surveillance arrangements
Access control during counting
Monitoring of high-value cash movement
Authorities are trying to determine whether deviations from prescribed procedures may have facilitated the alleged theft.
Statements Highlight Administrative Concerns
During the course of the inquiry, statements provided by individuals previously associated with temple administration have reportedly raised questions regarding operational practices.
According to sources, concerns were expressed regarding implementation of standard cash-handling protocols and whether all recommended safeguards were effectively enforced by agencies involved in banking operations.
Investigators are carefully examining these statements alongside documentary evidence before arriving at any conclusions.
Police Expand Financial Investigation
The financial investigation has widened considerably.
Police teams have sought information from several government departments and financial institutions to establish the complete financial profile of the accused individuals.
Authorities have requested details relating to:
Income records
Bank accounts
Property ownership
Agricultural land
Commercial assets
Investments
Vehicle ownership
Revenue records
Officials are attempting to determine whether assets acquired by the accused are consistent with their declared sources of income.
Search Extends Beyond Ayodhya
Investigators are not restricting the inquiry to Ayodhya district alone.
Police teams are reportedly examining whether any movable or immovable properties linked to the accused exist elsewhere in Uttar Pradesh or outside the district.
Authorities are also verifying whether investments may have been made in the names of family members, associates, or other individuals connected with the accused.
The objective is to establish whether any proceeds from the alleged embezzlement were diverted into undisclosed assets.
Multiple Arrests Already Made
The investigation has already resulted in several arrests.
According to officials, eight individuals connected with the temple’s donation-counting operations have been taken into custody so far.
The accused include employees allegedly associated with handling and processing donations collected from devotees.
Police continue to interrogate those arrested while simultaneously collecting documentary evidence to support the investigation.
Recovery of Cash and Valuables
Investigating agencies have also reported recovery of substantial amounts of cash and certain jewellery items during searches conducted in connection with the case.
Officials stated that approximately ₹80 lakh in cash has been recovered from some of the accused.
Recovered material is being examined alongside banking records and financial statements to determine its connection with the alleged offence.
Asset Verification Continues
Investigators are conducting extensive verification of financial records.
The exercise includes cross-checking:
Bank deposits
Property registrations
Land ownership documents
Revenue records
Income declarations
Vehicle registrations
Officials are comparing these records with known income sources to determine whether any disproportionate assets have been accumulated.
The analysis may form an important component of the final SIT report.
Temple Security Measures Updated
Separate from the financial investigation, changes have also been introduced in the temple’s visitor access system.
According to sources, identification credentials previously used for issuing VIP entry passes have been deactivated following administrative changes within the trust.
Authorities have informed security personnel that passes generated through those inactive credentials are no longer valid.
The revised system is intended to strengthen access management and prevent unauthorized use of privileged entry permissions.
Custodial Remand Sought
Meanwhile, investigators have approached the Anti-Corruption Court seeking seven-day custodial remand for two accused who are currently in judicial custody.
Police stated that recent developments during the investigation require additional questioning and recovery of further evidence.
The remand application is scheduled to be heard by the court on July 14, after which investigators may receive additional time for custodial interrogation depending on the court’s decision.
Final Report Expected After Comprehensive Probe
Officials maintain that the investigation remains ongoing and no final conclusions have yet been reached.
The SIT is expected to complete examination of financial records, witness statements, and forensic evidence before submitting its comprehensive report to the Uttar Pradesh Government.
The findings are anticipated to determine whether criminal liability extends beyond those already arrested and whether further legal or administrative action will be recommended to strengthen safeguards governing temple donations in the future.