The Supreme Court of India directed the Uttar Pradesh Special Investigation Team to submit a status report on alleged embezzlement of Ayodhya Ram Temple donations.
This judicial intervention follows allegations that large sums of money intended for the construction of the Ram Mandir were stolen. The case involves high-profile religious and state interests, prompting demands for a forensic audit and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe.
On June 28, 2026, the court issued notices to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and the Uttar Pradesh government [1]. The court said it is seeking clarity on how the funds were managed and the progress of the investigation into the missing donations.
Local legal professionals have reacted to the allegations. On June 29, 2026, the Faizabad Bar Association passed a resolution stating that its members would not provide legal defense for the individuals accused in the theft [2]. This collective refusal leaves the defendants without local representation.
Eight individuals have been arrested and sent to judicial custody [2]. To ensure compliance with the resolution, the bar association proposed a penalty of ₹5 lakh for any lawyer who chooses to defend the accused [3].
Supporters of a deeper investigation have called for a probe monitored by the Supreme Court to ensure transparency [4]. The SIT continues to investigate the financial trails of the donations while the temple trust and state government prepare their responses to the court's notices.
“The Supreme Court directed the Uttar Pradesh Special Investigation Team to submit a status report.”
The refusal of the Faizabad Bar Association to represent the accused creates a significant legal hurdle for the defendants and signals intense local social pressure regarding the sanctity of the temple funds. By involving the Supreme Court and calling for a CBI probe, the case has shifted from a local criminal matter to a national issue of accountability and religious trust.
