Ayodhya Ram Mandir Donation Scam Sparks Political Cover Up Allegations

Opposition leaders have launched a fierce political assault over the alleged embezzlement of offerings at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, accusing the government of orchestrating a cover-up. The administrative backlash intensifies as investigators uncover sweeping accounting discrepancies concerning gold, silver, and precious gems donated by devotees.

Congress MP Tariq Anwar has alleged that there was an attempt to shield those involved in the alleged embezzlement of offerings made at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, saying that the absence of strict action gave an impression of a ‘cover-up.’

The Congress leader demanded strict action, including registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and arrests of the accused involved in the alleged embezzlement of offerings made at the Ram Temple.

Speaking to ANI on the matter, Anwar said, ‘Until some strict action is taken, it seems like a cover-up is happening, an attempt is being made to protect those involved in this entire embezzlement… An FIR should have been filed, those accused should have been arrested, interrogated, but that wasn’t done.’

The remarks come amid an ongoing probe into allegations related to Ram Mandir donations. On June 14, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged scam involving offerings made at the Ram Mandir, following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Trust.

The SIT comprises Vijay Vishwas Pant, IAS, Divisional Commissioner, Lucknow; Kiran S, IPS, IG (Range); and Neel Ratan, Special Secretary, Finance. The committee has been directed to submit its preliminary and final reports as soon as possible.

The high-level panel has aggressively expanded its focus, scrutinizing land acquisitions executed by the temple trust alongside building material procurements. Sources indicate that the trust reportedly purchased land parcels at rates multiple times higher than prevailing market benchmarks.

The investigation has reached a critical bottleneck in Ayodhya. Before returning to Lucknow on Sunday, the three-member panel issued strict directives prohibiting temple trust functionaries and key officials from leaving the city. Digital logs of daily interrogations are being transmitted directly to the Chief Minister’s Office.

SIT officials have reportedly uncovered massive gaps in the inventory records of gold, silver, diamonds, and precious gemstones. Trust officials failed to provide coherent answers explaining the storage and accounting procedures for these high-value items, particularly during peak pilgrimage windows.

The accounting vulnerability peaked during the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela across January and February. With nearly 1 million daily visitors, donation boxes filled within hours, creating an unmonitored environment where major irregularities are suspected to have occurred.

SIT tracking metrics reveal that over the last 6 days, investigators have audited profiles and assets belonging to roughly 150 suspects. Legal actions and departmental penalties are currently being formulated against an estimated 25 individuals implicated in the fiduciary lapses.

On Sunday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav raised questions over the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case, questioning whether the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government would be allowed to function impartially.

Addressing reporters in Kannauj, the SP chief said the reports regarding alleged irregularities in devotees’ offerings were disturbing.

‘The reports emerging are disturbing. People’s devotion and attachment to Lord Ram are unparalleled. People never imagined that such reports regarding their offerings would surface. Although the government has constituted an SIT, a major question remains: will the SIT be allowed to function impartially?’ Yadav said.

He further alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prioritised monetary interests over religious values, adding that the controversy had hurt public sentiment linked to Sanatan traditions.

‘The BJP has proven that it values money more than religion; no one had even imagined that Sanatan traditions would suffer such a severe blow. We hope the truth will come to light,’ he said.

Future Outlook

The political fallout from the Ayodhya donation inquiry is expected to escalate as the SIT prepares to submit its preliminary findings directly to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. With opposition parties joining forces to demand transparent criminal prosecutions, the financial governance and auditing mechanisms of religious trusts across India face imminent legislative and judicial scrutiny.

FAQs

Who is investigating the alleged Ram Mandir donation scam?

A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government is leading the probe. The panel includes Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant (IAS), IG Range Kiran S (IPS), and Special Secretary of Finance Neel Ratan.

What specific discrepancies did investigators find at the temple?

The SIT discovered significant accounting and documentation discrepancies concerning offerings of gold, silver, diamonds, and precious stones. Trust officials were reportedly unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding inventory tracking and storage.

Why is the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela period significant to the probe?

During January and February of 2025, the temple saw an unprecedented surge of nearly 1 million daily visitors. Donation boxes filled up within hours, creating a high-volume influx where monitoring became highly vulnerable to irregularities.

What are the political demands being made regarding the case?

Congress MP Tariq Anwar has demanded the immediate registration of an FIR and the arrest of those involved, alleging an ongoing administrative cover-up. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has raised serious doubts regarding whether the SIT will be allowed to operate impartially.