FIR filed over alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement; SIT probe underway in Ayodhya

An FIR has been registered over alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, based on a complaint filed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

The FIR comes as a Special Investigation Team (SIT), set up by the Uttar Pradesh government on the recommendation of the temple trust, continues its probe into the allegations.

According to news agency ANI, the FIR names Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav, Manish Yadav and others.

The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections related to theft by a servant, criminal breach of trust, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy.

The allegations of donation misuse surfaced earlier this month, following which the SIT was constituted. Reports citing sources said the team has made “strong and strict” recommendations, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also closely monitoring the matter.

What sparked the controversy?

The controversy erupted after allegations that crores of rupees donated by devotees for the Ram Temple were allegedly misappropriated.

A Samajwadi Party MLA claimed that donations worth around ₹7 crore to ₹7.5 crore had been stolen, triggering criticism from Opposition leaders.

The matter later reached the legal arena after advocate Mohit Ashok filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on June 12, seeking action over the allegations. Following the petition, the Uttar Pradesh government formed an SIT to investigate the claims.

A separate petition has also reportedly been filed in the Supreme Court of India seeking a court-monitored probe and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the allegations.

Claims over stolen offerings

The controversy intensified after former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that offerings including sandals, jewellery, garlands and lamps donated to Lord Ram were stolen from the temple.

He further alleged that cash, precious stones and silver offerings had gone missing, while questioning the validity of the SIT probe.

Earlier, Sanjay Singh appeared before the SIT and submitted documents that he claimed showed evidence of corruption.

Ajay Rai also criticised the BJP-led state government, saying public anger was growing over the allegations surrounding temple donations.