Ram Temple

Ram Temple donation theft: UP govt reconstitutes SIT, adds 3 IPS officers

The newly constituted SIT is headed by IG Kiran S, with DIG Ayodhya Somen Verma and SSP Ayodhya Dr Gaurav Grover as members

Ram temple trust delays CEO selection, to appoint interim secretary

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Wednesday deferred the selection of its first chief executive officer (CEO) by a month after receiving 5,200 applications for the post and decided to appoint a secretary in the interim to meet growing administrative requirements. The decision was taken at a meeting of the board of trustees held here, where members also reviewed arrangements for the expected rise in the number of devotees during the ongoing Shravan month, progress on filling vacant trustee posts and several administrative and financial issues. After the meeting, Trust interim general secretary Krishna Mohan and treasurer Govind Dev Giri briefed the press. Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri said a committee constituted to select the CEO had sought an additional month to scrutinise the large number of applications received for the post. "We have received a total of 5,200 applications for the CEO post. Considering the volume of applications, the selection committee sought o

Nothing can shame people unfazed by Ram temple donation theft: HC

Taking up the issue of alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Justice Atul Sreedharan of the Allahabad High Court has observed that nothing can shame those who are unfazed by the development. The judge also suggested death penalty for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Delivering strong observations on the Uttar Pradesh government's recent bulldozer actions, Justice Sreedharan simultaneously criticised the systemic corruption plaguing Indian institutions, noting that the recent "theft" of donations at the Ram temple represents the "nadir of Indians' integrity". Elaborating on this, he added that an average Indian has normalised corruption and no longer considers it wrong unless caught. He further remarked that even the fact that India ranks 91 among 182 countries in the Transparency International 2025 report "does not shame us". Referring to the "donation-theft" row, he said, "The recent controversy relating to the theft of donations at the R

SC asks UP if SIT can be formed to probe Ram temple donation 'theft'

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to apprise it about the possibility of setting up an SIT to probe the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and cautioned the litigants not to politicise the issue. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, to take instructions on whether the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which had examined the entire issue before registration of the FIR, could be entrusted with the responsibility to probe the case instead of the local police. "Just a word of caution. Please don't politicise the issue. The courts are not a place for politics. It is a simple case of commission of crime. We are (here) just to ensure a proper investigation," the CJI said. At the outset, Mehta said that in compliance with an earlier order, the state government has filed a status ...

Nirmohi Akhara moves SC to reconstitute Ram temple trust as public body

The Nirmohi Akhara has approached the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Centre to reconstitute the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Theerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the affairs of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, as a "public trust". In its application filed before the apex court, Nirmohi Akhara has sought directions declaring that the existing structure and composition of the trust as a "private trust" was inconsistent with the spirit and intent of the top court's November 2019 verdict in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case. The application has been filed in the disposed of matter in which the apex court on November 9, 2019, delivered a landmark verdict that paved the way for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The 2019 verdict also directed the Centre to allot a five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque. The Nirmohi Akhara filed the application through Mahant Raja Ramchandracharya Ateet Guru Raghunath Das. It has sought a direction to the Cen

Ram temple donation embezzlement: SIT to submit interim report on July 20

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple may submit an interim report to the Supreme Court on Monday in compliance with the apex court's directions, sources said on Friday. Sources further said the SIT may seek more time from the Uttar Pradesh government to finalise its investigation into the alleged financial irregularities related to donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The development comes days after the Supreme Court, while hearing petitions seeking a fair and time-bound probe into the alleged donation embezzlement, directed the SIT to submit a status report on its investigation. The three-member SIT, comprising Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan, was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on June 13 at the request of the trust. It was initially given 15 days to complete the probe, but i

Ram temple donation theft: SIT report expected soon, trust reforms likely

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya is expected to submit its final report to the Uttar Pradesh government shortly, sources said on Thursday. The SIT's findings are likely to pave the way for sweeping changes in the temple's administration and donation-counting system. The three-member SIT, constituted by the UP government on June 13 at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, was initially given 15 days to complete its probe. But its tenure was extended by another 15 days on July 1, and barring an unlikely second extension, the report is now expected shortly. "We expect the report anytime soon, say by evening or within the next 24 hours at the most," a source familiar with the matter told PTI, indicating that another extension of the SIT's tenure is unlikely. The final report assumes significance as its recommendations are expected to be discussed in detail by the temple trust and coul

Ayodhya Ram temple donation 'theft' row: SC seeks status report from SIT

The Supreme Court has sought a status report from the Uttar Pradesh SIT probing alleged donation embezzlement at the Ram temple and issued notice to the temple trust

Ayodhya Ram temple trust invites CEO applications amid donation theft row

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra said applicants must have at least 20 years of managerial experience and be actively practising Hindus

SC seeks SIT report on pleas seeking probe into Ram temple donations row

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Special Investigation Team formed by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the alleged embezzlement of donation money at the Ram temple in Ayidhya to submit a status report in the matter. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohna also issued a notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on pleas seeking a fair and time-bound probe into the donations 'theft' row. Narendra Kumar Goswami, one of the three petitioners, moved the top court seeking a CBI probe into the matter. He also sought a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of the finances of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Theerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the affairs of the Ram temple. Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav filed the second petition seeking similar measures. Besides seeking a Supreme Court-monitored CBI probe, the third petition filed by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh has sought a forensic audit of the entire finances of the .

RSS meet expresses 'deep anguish' over alleged Ram temple donation theft

RSS leaders asked the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to institute stringent mechanisms to prevent a recurrence of such incidents

'Ram temple trust to decide CEO's powers, no interference from govt'

Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra on Sunday stated that the responsibilities and powers of the first-ever Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ayodhya temple will be determined by the temple Trust. The primary responsibility of the CEO will be to uphold the faith of the devotees in the trust, he said. "The new CEO will also oversee financial arrangements," Mishra told reporters in Ayodhya, adding that there won't be any "government interference" in the functioning of the trust or its CEO. Mishra added that ensuring that devotees visiting Ayodhya receive all necessary amenities and maintaining their trust in the temple will be among the new CEO's initial responsibilities. "In a way, the CEO will work as an assistant of the trust, sans government interference," Mishra said, noting that a three-member panel has been set up to recommend suitable candidates for the CEO's post to the trust. Ultimately, it is up to the trust to determine how much authority to ..

Ayodhya Ram temple donation 'theft' a disgrace, says Nripendra Mishra

Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra on Saturday said the alleged donation theft at the Ayodhya temple was a disgraceful blot (kalank), and everyone felt utterly humiliated because of it. He expressed confidence, however, that the temple management system would be improved to avoid a repeat of such incidents. Mishra arrived in Ayodhya on Friday for the first day of the Ram Temple Construction Committee's meeting. "This (alleged donation theft) is a disgrace, and we all are not just apologetic but feeling humiliated and let down by it," Mishra told reporters ahead of the second day of the committee's meeting. "This is (now) an issue pertaining to temple management, and the management would surely be improved to guard against a repeat of this (alleged donation theft)," he said. Mishra, who was among the first to raise the demand for the appointment of a temple trust CEO, said a high-level committee has been set up to suggest a suitable name. There are specula

SC to hear pleas seeking probe into Ram temple donations case on July 13

The Supreme Court would hear a batch of pleas seeking a fair and time-bound probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on July 13. On July 7, an Ayodhya court granted one-day police remand for three of the eight accused arrested in connection with the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple. The court authorised the remand for Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra and Karunesh Pandey. On June 29, a local court had sent all the eight accused to 14-day judicial custody. According to the Supreme Court website, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana will hear as many as three petitions filed on the issue when the apex court reopens on Monday. Narendra Kumar Goswami, one of the three petitioners, has moved the top court seeking a CBI probe into the incident. He also sought a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of the finances of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Theerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the affairs

Over 50% of employees involved in counting donations at Ram temple resign

Over half of the employees engaged in counting donations at the Ram temple have resigned amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of offerings, reducing the strength of counting personnel to just around a dozen, sources said on Friday. Trust sources said attendance at the donation counting centre had already dropped after the case came to light, with only 15-20 of the around 40 personnel regularly reporting for duty due to fear following the investigation. According to the sources, around 20 of the counting staff have resigned from their duty. The employees who resigned cited increased workload, saying the counting process has become more time-consuming after the alleged theft surfaced. The employees also said the counting exercise, which was earlier carried out in two shifts, has now been reduced to a single shift lasting around nine to 10 hours, without any increase in wages. They further said that while donations were earlier counted on tables and chairs, the

Cong seeks Ram temple trust's dissolution over donation theft allegations

Congress accuses the BJP-RSS of shielding the real culprits in the Ram temple donation theft case and demands dissolution of the trust and a Supreme Court-monitored probe

Kejriwal seeks 'stricter' action in Ayodhya Ram temple donation theft case

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday sought stricter action against the "donation thieves" in the Ayodhya Ram temple embezzlement case and said people want them to be hanged. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said the alleged irregularities were serious, noting that an FIR had been registered in the matter. "If no theft had taken place, an FIR would not have been lodged, and eight people would not have been arrested," he said, adding that it is people's demand that the "donation thieves be hanged". "Only FIR is not sufficient," he added. He also alleged that many temples and religious institutions across the country had come under the control of people involved in donation theft. Such institutions should be freed from their control and handed over to religious leaders for proper management, the AAP chief said. Kejriwal added that those who are raising the issue are being targeted instead they are demanding action against the alleged culprits.

Ram Temple donation controversy: Trust accepts resignations of Rai, Mishra

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust appointed Krishna Mohan as interim general secretary and initiated the process to appoint a chief executive officer

Ram Temple Trust meet to decide fate of top office-bearers on Monday

Controversy over temple donations deepens as the Ram Temple Trust prepares to decide on resignations and internal restructuring

Extremely pained, angered by theft of Ram temple donations, says RSS

In its first statement on the issue, the RSS termed the alleged embezzlement of Ayodhya Ram temple donations "unfortunate" and called for strict punishment for those found guilty