A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing alleged irregularities in the handling of donations collected for the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya [1].

The investigation is significant because it examines the financial integrity of one of India's most prominent religious projects, a site that has drawn massive global attention and funding.

The SIT was officially constituted on June 13, 2024 [1]. The probe was initiated after the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra requested an investigation into the suspected misuse of funds [1]. The team is tasked with determining how donations were managed and whether any embezzlement occurred within the trust's operations [1].

Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant is among the members included in the SIT [1]. The investigation is focusing on the flow of money into the trust and identifying potential gaps in financial oversight [1].

Reports indicate that the alleged donation scam may have begun before the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in 2024 [2]. This timeline suggests that the irregularities could have been systemic or occurred during the high-volume collection period leading up to the temple's consecration [2]. The SIT is currently reviewing records to establish exactly when the suspected misuse started and who was responsible for the oversight [1].

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh are coordinating the effort to ensure transparency in the temple's financial dealings [1]. The probe remains ongoing as the SIT gathers evidence from the trust's internal accounts, and external donation channels [1].

“A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing alleged irregularities in the handling of donations.”

The formation of a Special Investigation Team indicates that the temple trust identified internal vulnerabilities or discrepancies that could not be resolved through standard audits. Because the allegations suggest the misuse may have predated the 2024 consecration, the findings could lead to a broader overhaul of how religious trusts in India manage large-scale public donations to prevent future embezzlement.