Ayodhya: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has intensified its investigation by questioning senior trust officials and expanding the scope of the inquiry to include land transactions, bank records, recruitment procedures and asset trails. The Uttar Pradesh government recently extended the SIT’s mandate by 15 days to facilitate a comprehensive investigation.
According to officials, the investigation has now entered its second phase, moving beyond the alleged theft of donations to examine the trust’s overall administrative functioning. Investigators questioned former trust members Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao regarding staff appointments, departmental responsibilities, supervisory mechanisms and the management of temple operations. Both stepped down from their positions after eight temple employees were arrested in connection with the case.
The SIT is also scrutinising land purchases made by the trust. Officials are verifying sale deeds, payment records, supporting documents and the financial trail of transactions to determine whether established procedures were followed and whether any irregularities occurred during property acquisitions.
In addition, investigators are examining bank records, audit reports and financial transactions linked to temple donations. Authorities have ordered a re-audit of the trust’s accounts covering the past five years after preliminary findings raised concerns that warrant a more detailed financial review. The objective is to trace the complete movement of donations from collection boxes to bank deposits and identify any discrepancies.
The probe is also focusing on the recruitment process for personnel responsible for handling donations, security and logistics. Investigators are seeking to establish who approved appointments, how duties were assigned and whether adequate oversight mechanisms were in place to safeguard devotees’ contributions.
Earlier investigations led to the arrest of eight individuals employed by the trust to manage temple offerings. Police have since recovered substantial sums of cash and are investigating whether additional money, gold and silver may have been concealed. Authorities are also tracking vehicles allegedly used to transport the misappropriated funds and examining the financial assets of the accused.
The alleged embezzlement has sparked nationwide attention and prompted demands for greater transparency in the management of one of India’s most prominent religious institutions. Officials have maintained that the investigation will continue until all financial records, administrative decisions and asset trails have been thoroughly examined.
