Ram Mandir donation case: CM Yogi takes harsh stance, says ‘guilty won’t be spared’.

Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Row Deepens as SIT Probe Expands; PMO Seeks Trust Records, CM Yogi Vows Strict Action.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Ayodhya | June 26, : The controversy surrounding the alleged misappropriation of donations collected at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple has intensified, with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) seeking financial records from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the Uttar Pradesh government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) expanding its probe, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asserting that those found guilty “will not be spared.”

The developments come amid an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the handling of donations and offerings made by devotees at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

PMO Seeks Financial Records

According to reports, BJP leader Rajneesh Singh submitted a complaint to the Prime Minister’s Office on June 12, requesting that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust disclose its complete financial records since its inception.

The complaint sought details regarding the Trust’s income and expenditure, donations received through various channels, bank accounts, land purchases and sales, assets, and other financial transactions.

The PMO reportedly forwarded the complaint to the Ayodhya district administration for appropriate action.

Subsequently, Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Indrakant Dwivedi, in a letter dated June 23 addressed to Additional District Magistrate (Administration) Vishu Raja, stated that he had approached Trust General Secretary Champat Rai for the requested information.

According to the letter, Rai declined to furnish the records, stating that the Special Investigation Team was already collecting all relevant documents and financial records as part of its ongoing investigation. The PMO’s communication reportedly sought disclosure of details related to funds collected through the Samarpan Nidhi campaign, donations received through various modes, contributions in the form of gold, silver and ornaments, bank accounts and transactions, land purchases and sales, expenditure incurred on temple construction and administration, as well as audit and inspection reports.

SIT Probe and FIR

The Uttar Pradesh government constituted the SIT on June 13 after the Trust itself sought an investigation into allegations of irregularities in the management of donations offered by devotees.

The controversy gained political attention on June 7 when Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav referred to media reports alleging that donations worth crores of rupees had gone missing and urged judicial intervention.

The SIT submitted its preliminary report on June 23. Based on its recommendations, an FIR was registered on June 25 against eight named individuals and several unidentified persons.

The FIR was lodged on the complaint of Krishna Mohan, a trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, who was inducted into the Trust on September 16, 2025, following the death of trustee Kameshwar Chaupal earlier that year. Krishna Mohan, a retired Indian Forest Service officer from Hardoi, has been associated with social work since his retirement in 2012.

Those named in the FIR include Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu.

The accused have been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges relating to theft, criminal breach of trust, receiving or concealing stolen property, criminal conspiracy and acts committed in furtherance of common intention, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Police arrested all eight accused shortly after the FIR was registered. Officials said the accused were being questioned while other legal formalities were being completed.

Yogi Adityanath: “Guilty Won’t Be Spared”

Responding to the developments, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reiterated his government’s commitment to strict action.

“The SIT probe was conducted on the Ayodhya temple issue. As soon as the report came, action was taken,” Adityanath said, adding that those found guilty would face legal consequences irrespective of their position.

According to reports, two members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust—Champat Rai and Anil Mishra—have resigned from their respective positions.

Political Reactions

The investigation has generated sharp political reactions.

Earlier, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Alok Kumar accused the Samajwadi Party and the Congress of attempting to derive political mileage from the controversy ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Following the registration of the FIR, Akhilesh Yadav again questioned the investigation process in a post on X, alleging that under the BJP government “small fish” would be punished while “big fish” would escape accountability.

He further alleged that evidence may have been erased before the FIR was lodged and claimed that the SIT report appeared to have been prepared to support predetermined conclusions. These allegations have not been substantiated by the investigating authorities.

Administrative Changes Under Consideration

Amid the ongoing investigation, speculation has emerged regarding possible administrative restructuring within the Trust.

Former IAS officer Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Ram Temple Construction Committee and a former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is being viewed in media reports as a potential candidate for the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

The speculation follows the SIT’s reported recommendation that an experienced administrative officer be appointed as CEO to strengthen institutional oversight. However, no official announcement regarding such an appointment has been made.

Mishra, who has overseen construction activities at the Ram Temple complex since the Trust’s inception, reportedly visited Ayodhya twice after the controversy surfaced. While he initially refrained from commenting publicly, he later acknowledged that theft of donations had occurred, describing it as a “robbery” in media interactions.

He also reportedly emphasised the need for stronger financial oversight while publicly expressing confidence in Trust General Secretary Champat Rai.

Fresh Allegations by Swami Govindanand Saraswati

Separately, Swami Govindanand Saraswati, a disciple of the late Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, has made allegations concerning donations allegedly collected outside the framework of the Trust.

Speaking to ANI, Govindanand Saraswati claimed that after the formation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in February 2020, Swami Avimukteshwaranand continued to collect gold and donations through a campaign conducted in nearly 1,000 villages.

Govindanand Saraswati stated that he has written to the SIT, claiming to possess documentary evidence supporting his allegations. He has urged both internal and external investigations into the alleged collection of gold, silver and other valuables and has called for strict legal action, including seizure of properties, if any wrongdoing is established.

He further alleged that valuable donations collected by his late guru were later taken into possession by Swami Avimukteshwaranand following the guru’s death in 2022.

According to Govindanand Saraswati, he had previously raised these concerns through letters addressed to various state chief ministers, the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust and Ayodhya police in June 2024, besides informing Trust General Secretary Champat Rai.

As of the latest reports, Swami Avimukteshwaranand has not publicly responded to these allegations. Media reports said he was observing a period of silence and meditation during his ongoing cow protection yatra when journalists sought his response.

Investigation Continues

The SIT investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have indicated that additional evidence and witness statements are being examined. Officials have not ruled out further legal action if fresh evidence emerges during the course of the investigation.

The controversy has drawn nationwide attention due to the religious significance of the Ayodhya Ram Temple and the substantial public contributions received for its construction. While criminal proceedings have commenced against the named accused, several issues relating to financial transparency, governance and administrative oversight within the Trust remain under investigation.

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_Agency Inputs.