From Missing Donations To Hidden Cash Claims: What Is The Ram Temple Row About?
From Missing Donations To Hidden Cash Claims: What Is The Ram Temple Row About? Reported By, Last Updated: June 15, 2026, 10:56 IST The controversy
From Missing Donations To Hidden Cash Claims: What Is The Ram Temple Row About? Reported By, Last Updated: June 15, 2026, 10:56 IST The controversy has widened after the alleged recovery of cash from a temple employee’s residence, prompting the Yogi Adityanath government to order an SIT probe. Rapid Read The move comes after Samajwadi Party leaders alleged that crores of rupees donated by devotees at the Ram Temple had gone missing. (Image: PTI/File) What started as an allegation by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over missing donations at the Ram Temple has snowballed into a major political and administrative controversy, particularly after the Yogi Adityanath government ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of theft, financial irregularities and questionable asset accumulation by temple employees. The controversy surrounding the finances of the Ram Temple took a dramatic turn after cash was recovered from the residence of a temple employee involved in handling devotees’ offerings. The development has intensified scrutiny of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and triggered a political slugfest between the ruling BJP and opposition parties. The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a three-member SIT to investigate allegations related to the handling of donations received at the temple. The decision came after the alleged recovery of around Rs 10 lakh from the residence of Lavkush Mishra, a temple employee associated with the counting of offerings. According to reports, a portion of the cash was allegedly concealed in a heap of cow dung, although investigators are yet to establish whether the money was directly linked to temple donations.
The decision to form an SIT was taken on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which said an independent investigation was necessary to establish the facts and counter what it described as misinformation surrounding the controversy. The SIT comprises senior IAS officer Vijay Vishwas Pant, Divisional Commissioner of Lucknow; IPS officer Kiran S., Inspector General of Police; and Neel Ratan, Special Secretary in the Finance Department. The panel has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive inquiry into allegations concerning temple donations, financial management practices and the circumstances that triggered the controversy. According to officials, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the SIT to conduct a fair and time-bound investigation, ensuring that innocent individuals are not harassed while those found guilty face strict action. The controversy first gained momentum when SP president Akhilesh Yadav alleged that crores of rupees offered by devotees at the Ram Temple had gone missing. “The faith of devotees is supreme. Every rupee offered in the name of Lord Ram belongs to the devotees. The truth must come out and those responsible should be held accountable," Yadav said while demanding an independent probe into the matter. His allegations sparked a sharp political debate, with opposition parties accusing the temple administration of lacking transparency in the management of donations. The issue quickly escalated beyond politics after reports emerged that temple employees had allegedly acquired assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. Investigators are reportedly examining property purchases made by individuals associated with the donation-counting process.
The BriefWire