Frisking Must, Gowns With No Pockets: What Has Changed At Ayodhya Ram Mandir After Donation Theft?

Published 3 July 2026 · india

Frisking Must, Gowns With No Pockets: What Has Changed At Ayodhya Ram Mandir After Donation Theft? Published By, Last Updated: July 03, 2026, 13:33 IST

Frisking Must, Gowns With No Pockets: What Has Changed At Ayodhya Ram Mandir After Donation Theft? Published By, Last Updated: July 03, 2026, 13:33 IST A major change is the introduction of special gowns without pockets for personnel working inside the donation counting area. Rapid Read A file photo of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya | Image credit: PTI The alleged theft of devotees’ donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya has snowballed into one of the most significant controversies to hit the shrine since its inauguration. What began as an internal suspicion over missing cash and valuables has now led to a sprawling police investigation, multiple arrests, recoveries of cash and gold, and scrutiny of the temple’s donation handling system. Investigators believe the alleged embezzlement was not a one-off incident but a systematic operation carried out during the counting of offerings collected from donation boxes. The probe has so far led to the arrest of eight people, while several temple officials and functionaries have also been questioned to determine whether procedural lapses or insider collusion allowed the alleged theft to continue unnoticed. The case has also exposed gaps in surveillance, including the routine overwriting of CCTV footage after a limited period, prompting authorities to review the temple’s security architecture. Read More: ‘Ram Mandir Trust Not Answerable To Govt’: MHA’s 2025 Stand In Focus Amid Donation Theft Row In response, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has introduced sweeping changes to the way sensitive areas inside the temple are accessed and monitored. From compulsory frisking and pocketless gowns for staff handling donations to tighter restrictions on personal belongings and enhanced surveillance, the new measures are aimed at preventing any repeat of the alleged theft and restoring devotees’ confidence in the management of offerings made at one of India’s most visited temples.

What Has Changed Inside The Temple? The most visible change, according to reports, is at the entrance to the donation counting section and other sensitive areas of the temple complex. Temple authorities have made frisking compulsory for every person entering designated high-security zones. Staff members, security personnel and others authorised to enter are now subjected to physical checks before entry and while exiting. Another major change is the introduction of special gowns without pockets for personnel working inside the donation counting area, according an Indian Express report. The idea is to eliminate any possibility of cash, jewellery or other offerings being concealed in clothing while handling donations. Employees are also no longer allowed to carry personal belongings such as mobile phones, wallets, bags, purses or other items inside the counting rooms. These have to be deposited before entry. Access has been significantly restricted as well. Only authorised personnel whose names are cleared in advance can enter the donation processing area, and their movements are being monitored much more closely than before. The temple administration has also strengthened surveillance protocols after investigators flagged serious shortcomings in the earlier system. One of the biggest concerns was that CCTV footage was routinely overwritten after around 45 days, making it difficult to trace thefts that allegedly took place over a longer period. Authorities are now reviewing surveillance retention and monitoring procedures to plug those gaps. The Ram Mandir Donation Theft Case The controversy erupted after allegations surfaced that money and valuables donated by devotees at the Ram Temple had been siphoned off during the counting process. According to investigators, the theft did not involve donation boxes being broken open. Instead, the alleged embezzlement took place during the handling and counting of offerings collected from the temple’s donation boxes.