Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust Leaders Resign Amid Donation Embezzlement Probe
On June 27, 2026, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust leaders Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resigned after corruption allegations that crores of rupees in donations to the Ayodhya Ram Temple were embezzled. An SIT formed by the Uttar Pradesh government arrested eight accused, recovering ₹79.85 lakh. Police raided homes, recorded statements, and plan to re-audit trust accounts covering five years. The scandal has shaken public faith in the temple’s management.
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Supreme Court proposes SIT probe into Ram Temple donation embezzlement case
The Supreme Court of India on July 20, 2026, proposed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of senior police officers to investigate the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant cautioned petitioners against politicizing the case, calling it a 'simple case of commission of offence.' Petitioners, including RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, had demanded a CBI probe and full disclosure of financial records of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, including foreign contributions and inventories of gold and silver offerings. The Solicitor-General informed the court that eight people had been arrested and a confidential status report was filed in a sealed cover. The court scheduled the next hearing and orders for July 27.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Supreme Court Hears Pleas for Probe into Ram Mandir Donations Theft
The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, heard a batch of pleas on July 20, 2026, seeking a fair and time-bound investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The court had previously issued notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that a status report had been filed, eight people had been arrested, and the Uttar Pradesh Police was investigating under the oversight of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The CJI cautioned petitioners against politicizing the case, describing it as a 'simple commission of an offence.' The SIT is expected to submit an interim report to the Supreme Court. The scandal, which surfaced in June 2026, has led to the resignation of two senior Trust functionaries.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Supreme Court to hear pleas seeking probe into Ram temple donations theft row on July 20
The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear on July 20, 2026, a batch of petitions demanding a fair and time-bound investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, had previously agreed to hear the pleas on July 13 and directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a status report. The court also issued notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the temple, seeking its response. Petitioners, including Narendra Kumar Goswami, RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, and others, are seeking a CBI-led investigation, a Supreme Court-monitored probe, and a forensic audit of the Trust's finances. The SIT was formed on June 13, 2026, following allegations of misappropriation of donations.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Congress Demands PM Modi Address Ram Temple Donation Embezzlement in Parliament
The Congress party, led by General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi break his silence on the floor of Parliament regarding the alleged embezzlement of donations to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Ramesh noted that Modi himself announced the Trust's creation in Parliament on February 5, 2020, and appointed its members, making him accountable for the 'aastha dhoka' (betrayal of faith). The alleged theft came to light last month, leading to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT has arrested eight people, recovered cash, and accepted the resignation of two Trust functionaries. The Supreme Court has also intervened, directing the SIT to submit a status report by July 20, 2026. The Congress plans to raise the issue during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Ram Temple Donation Embezzlement: SIT to Submit Interim Report on Monday
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is set to submit an interim report to the Supreme Court on July 20, 2026, following the apex court's directions. Sources indicate the SIT may request additional time from the Uttar Pradesh government to finalize its investigation into financial irregularities involving the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The three-member SIT, constituted on June 13, has already submitted a preliminary nine-page report that led to an FIR, eight arrests, recovery of siphoned cash, and resignations of former trust officials Champat Rai and Anil Mishra. The final report is expected to recommend administrative and donation-counting reforms. The trust is scheduled to meet on July 22 to discuss findings. The Supreme Court is also hearing petitions for a CBI probe, forensic audit, and CAG audit of the trust's finances.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Lucknow Activist Demands Donor Assurance Certificate from Ram Mandir Trust Amid Embezzlement Case
Lucknow-based social activist and former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur has demanded that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust issue a 'Donor Assurance Certificate' to restore public faith following an alleged donation embezzlement case. In a letter to the Trust's chairman and general secretary, Thakur called for a one-time independent retrospective reconciliation of all cash and valuable donations received since February 5, 2020. He requested the exercise be completed within 15 days and the findings made public. Copies of the letter were sent to the Cabinet Secretary of India and the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. Eight accused individuals have been arrested in the embezzlement case and sent to judicial custody until July 27. The controversy has sparked political debate, with opposition parties demanding accountability from the BJP government.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Social Activist Demands Transparency from Ram Temple Trust Amid Embezzlement Case
Former IPS officer and social activist Amitabh Thakur has demanded that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust place its trust documents, annual reports, and financial statements in the public domain to restore public faith amid an ongoing funds embezzlement case related to the Ayodhya Ram Temple. Thakur had previously made similar requests in February 2024 and June 2025, to which the Trust responded that its accounts have never been audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and that it is an independent and autonomous body. Eight persons accused in the case have been arrested and sent to judicial custody until July 13. The development follows reports that a Special Investigation Team is likely to re-audit the Trust's accounts for the last five years.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.SIT Likely to Re-Audit Ram Temple Trust Accounts Over Five Years
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is expected to conduct a repeat audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's accounts for the past five years. The audit will scrutinize construction-related expenditures and donations, including jewellery, gold, and silver items. The SIT, comprising senior officials, visited the temple on July 3, 2026, and spoke with multiple individuals. Key suspect Avinash Shukla, involved in donation counting, was remanded to police custody for 24 hours. Trust general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra have resigned, with a Trust meeting scheduled for July 6 to decide on their resignations. Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad urged public faith in the investigation, stating that corruption is being exposed under the current government.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Champat Rai: RSS Pracharak Faces Corruption Allegations Over Ram Temple Donations
Champat Rai, the 79-year-old RSS pracharak and general secretary of the Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, is at the center of a corruption controversy over donations received by the Ram temple trust. After decades as a low-profile organizer behind the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Rai oversaw the temple's construction and management following the 2019 Supreme Court verdict. However, just two-and-a-half years after the temple's consecration in January 2024, he faces corruption allegations and rumors of resignation. The investigation has thrust him into an unwelcome spotlight, transforming his public role from an anonymous organizer to a figure held accountable for the project's finances.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Ayodhya Police Record Champat Rai's Statement in Ram Temple Donation Embezzlement Probe
Ayodhya police have recorded the statement of Champat Rai, general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, as part of an investigation into alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple. Rai had previously offered to resign taking moral responsibility for the controversy. Police sought details and documents related to the alleged theft, with sources indicating the trust became aware of the fraud before June 7, when the issue became public. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government found widespread violations, leading to an FIR on June 25 and the arrest of eight people. Nearly ₹80 lakh in cash and foreign currency have been recovered. One of the accused, Ramashankar Yadav, is a former driver of Rai and possessed keys to donation boxes in violation of standard operating procedures. Police also questioned arrested accused Avinash Shukla in judicial custody.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Police Raid Homes of Eight Accused in Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Embezzlement Case
Ayodhya Police conducted simultaneous raids at the residences of all eight individuals arrested in connection with the embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple on June 28, 2026. The searches, accompanied by local magistrates, targeted homes of key accused including Lav Kush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, and Ramashankar Yadav. The eight accused, previously associated with counting cash and valuables from temple donations, were remanded to judicial custody until June 29, with police expected to seek custodial remand. Investigators have recovered ₹79.85 lakh so far. The case is registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for theft, criminal breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy, along with the Prevention of Corruption Act. The FIR was based on a preliminary report by a Special Investigation Team formed after allegations of fund misappropriation surfaced.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Ram Temple donation corruption row: Trust leaders Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resign amid embezzlement probe
On June 27, 2026, Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and trust member Anil Mishra resigned following corruption allegations related to donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The resignations were confirmed by Vishva Hindu Parishad spokesperson Vijay Shankar Tiwari. The controversy began on June 7 when Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged crores of rupees in donations were missing. The Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13 to probe the misappropriation, and eight accused named in an FIR have been arrested and sent to judicial custody until June 29. The Trust stated it is committed to a fair investigation and restoring devotees' confidence.
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