SIT submits report on Ayodhya Ram Temple donation irregularities

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted a preliminary report Monday regarding alleged irregularities and the possible theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya ^[1].

The investigation centers on whether valuables and funds offered by devotees were mishandled or stolen. Because the temple is a site of immense religious and political significance, any evidence of financial impropriety could spark widespread public outcry and political instability in the region.

The SIT was appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government and reports directly to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ^[1]. The team filed its initial findings on June 22, 2026 ^[1]. The probe was launched following allegations that the handling of offerings did not align with established protocols, leading to concerns that a portion of the donations never reached the official accounts.

Representatives of the temple administration have defended their internal processes. "All the money and valuables offered by devotees are handled through laid down procedures involving counting," a spokesperson for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said ^[2].

Despite these assurances, the SIT's report aims to identify specific gaps in the oversight of the donation process. The investigation is examining the chain of custody for physical valuables, and the digital trail of monetary contributions, to determine if theft occurred or if the irregularities were the result of administrative errors.

The government has not yet released the full contents of the preliminary report. However, the submission marks a critical step in the legal process to determine if criminal charges will be filed against specific individuals involved in the temple's financial management.