SIT suspects organised theft in Ram Mandir donation row (Img: Internet)
Ayodhya: The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple has uncovered signs of what investigators suspect was an organised insider operation.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the case, has reportedly found evidence suggesting that the alleged theft intensified during the 2025 Maha Kumbh, when donations and footfall surged significantly.
According to investigators, concerns over irregularities in the donation counting process had surfaced nearly three months before the case became public. Some members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had reportedly flagged anomalies and recommended changes in the counting staff. However, investigators are examining whether those suggestions were acted upon.
Officials are also looking into why no FIR was registered earlier, despite alleged evidence of cash recoveries. According to the probe, some believed filing a police complaint could harm the temple's reputation.
The SIT has questioned bank officials handling the temple's deposits. Investigators found that before the alleged scam surfaced, daily deposits averaged between Rs 16 lakh and Rs 18 lakh. After the case came to light, the amount reportedly increased to Rs 24-26 lakh a day, prompting investigators to suspect that Rs 6-8 lakh may have been siphoned off daily.
CCTV footage is also being examined, with investigators alleging that some accused concealed cash in their clothing and temporarily hid it inside temple bathrooms before taking it out.
Investigators believe the alleged embezzlement peaked during the Maha Kumbh, when daily footfall reportedly crossed 10 lakh on peak days. The SIT is also scrutinising the recruitment of additional counting staff and the handling of gold and silver donations, where record-keeping is alleged to have been inadequate.
The SIT's report is expected before July 15, following which the temple trust is likely to take further action.
