Congress Demands SC Probe Over Ayodhya Ram Temple Fraud

Congress MP K C Venugopal has accused the BJP and RSS of misappropriating funds donated to the Ayodhya Ram Temple, demanding a judicial investigation led by a sitting Supreme Court judge following the sudden resignation of top temple trust officials amid corruption allegations.

In a sharp political escalation on Friday, June 26, 2026, Congress lawmaker K C Venugopal accused the BJP-RSS alliance of embezzling public donations intended for the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The opposition leader demanded an independent inquiry led by a sitting Supreme Court judge to uncover the scale of the financial irregularities.

Expressing his criticism on X, Venugopal asserted that the self-proclaimed defenders of Hinduism stand completely unmasked by the surfacing details of financial theft at the Ayodhya shrine. He alleged that the emerging evidence proves temple funds were stolen, directly contradicting the ruling party’s claims of protecting Hindu interests.

The Congress leader drew a sharp contrast between federal regulatory policies, pointing out that the government enforces stringent Foreign Contribution Regulation Act rules on registered organizations while allowing unregistered groups like the RSS to operate without financial oversight or scrutiny regarding temple resources.

Venugopal stated that after leveraging the Ayodhya issue for polarizing political gains, the BJP-RSS combine skimmed money from the offerings of ordinary believers, disrespecting their faith. He criticized the administration for controlling registered entities with restrictive FCRA measures while leaving unregistered bodies free from accountability.

Furthermore, the opposition parliamentarian claimed that the initial police complaint intentionally protects high-ranking trust leaders by focusing exclusively on subordinate staff. He argued that the current legal action serves as a shield for those controlling the multi-million rupee operation.

Venugopal observed that the Sangh Parivar’s assertions of religious devotion are invalidated by the state’s initial legal filings. He noted that the police record fails to name the primary trustees responsible for managing the temple funds, focusing instead on lower-tier personnel.

The Congress leader maintained that only an independent judicial probe directed by a sitting Supreme Court justice can reveal the actual volume of the asset misappropriation. The demand followed the high-profile resignations of senior temple authorities earlier that morning.

Sources confirmed that Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust General Secretary Champat Rai alongside member trustee Anil Mishra stepped down from their administrative positions. Both officials reportedly vacated their posts to accept moral accountability for the escalating financial scandal.

These administrative exits occurred immediately after law enforcement authorities registered a formal First Information Report regarding the suspected diversion of financial contributions at the Ayodhya religious site. The legal case was initiated under direct orders from the Uttar Pradesh state administration.

The police invoked multiple criminal provisions under the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The statutory charges filed in the case include Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61, and 3(5) to address the alleged financial fraud.

The state’s formal complaint explicitly names several individuals, including Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav, and Manish Yadav, alongside other unidentified associates suspected of involvement in the fraudulent scheme.

The sweeping law enforcement action was triggered by public disclosures from Pawan Pandey, a former Samajwadi Party MLA representing Ayodhya. Pandey publicly alleged that a sum varying between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in public donations had been siphoned off from the temple accounts.

Following these specific financial disclosures, the regional government set up a dedicated three-member Special Investigation Team on June 14, 2026. The specialized investigative unit was formed after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust formally requested an official state inquiry into the matter.

Historical Context

The management of the Ram Temple funds has remained under intense public and political scrutiny since the historic Supreme Court verdict in 2019, which paved the way for the temple’s construction via a state-mandated trust. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was subsequently established by the central government to oversee billions of rupees in public donations received from millions of devotees globally. This current embezzlement controversy marks the most severe administrative crisis the trust has faced since its inception, threatening to reshape the oversight mechanisms governing prominent religious institutions in India.

FAQs

Why did Champat Rai resign from the Ram Temple Trust?

Champat Rai resigned from his position as General Secretary alongside trustee Anil Mishra to take moral responsibility for the alleged embezzlement of temple donations.

What is the estimated amount involved in the Ayodhya temple donation scam?

According to allegations raised by former Samajwadi Party lawmaker Pawan Pandey, the misappropriated temple donations are estimated to be between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore.

Who is investigating the alleged financial fraud at the Ram Mandir?

A three-member Special Investigation Team constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on June 14, 2026, is currently probing the financial regularities following a request from the temple trust.

What specific charges have been filed in the Ram Temple case?

The Uttar Pradesh Police registered a First Information Report under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61, and 3(5).

What action has the Congress party demanded regarding the temple fund issue?

Congress MP K C Venugopal has demanded an independent, transparent investigation supervised directly by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India to uncover the full extent of the fraud.