The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a three-member SIT to investigate allegations of financial irregularities
June 14, 2026: A fresh controversy has emerged over alleged irregularities in donations received by the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, prompting the Uttar Pradesh government to set up a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT). The panel has been tasked with examining claims related to temple donations and the financial functioning of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The issue gained attention after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that reports indicated several crores of rupees donated by devotees had gone missing and called for judicial intervention.
Responding to the allegations, Trust General Secretary Champat Rai stated that regular internal audits are conducted and that the current audit process was still underway. He said no major discrepancies had been found so far. However, the controversy intensified after former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh claimed he was aware of alleged misuse of donations but declined to reveal details. The situation further escalated when ₹10 lakh was reportedly recovered from the residence of an employee involved in counting cash donations.
Following a request from the temple trust, the state government announced the formation of an SIT comprising Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, IG Kiran S, and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan. The team has been directed to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit its report. Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav continued his attack on the government, while Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai demanded an independent probe under the supervision of a sitting High Court judge. BJP leaders have maintained that the trust is already conducting its own inquiry and have called for transparency regarding the trust’s finances and donations.