SIT Uncovers Evidence of Donation Misappropriation at Ayodhya Ram Temple

A recent investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Uttar Pradesh has unearthed alarming evidence related to the misappropriation of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. After scrutinizing 45 days’ worth of CCTV footage, the SIT found 70 recorded instances where counting personnel were observed concealing bundles of cash and loose notes within their clothing, pockets, and even shoes.

The SIT, formed by the Uttar Pradesh government to delve into allegations of theft concerning donations at the temple, submitted a preliminary report to the state home department on June 23. The findings, which have come to light, confirm that cash offerings made by devotees were being pilfered during the counting process. The report highlights a troubling trend, where staff members not only engaged in stealing but also walked away from the premises with the cash, largely due to lax enforcement of security measures.

In its report, the SIT pointed out significant lapses within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the governing body responsible for temple operations, as well as the State Bank of India, which manages the temple’s finances. The investigation specifically attributes the failure to maintain rigorous security protocols in the counting room to Trustee Anil Mishra, who is associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Surprisingly, despite identifying these breaches, the report does not suggest any punitive action against Mishra.

While the report refrains from naming Champat Rai, the general secretary of the trust, it does recommend that police probe eight staff members, including one of Rai’s aides, suspected of being involved in the theft. Notably, these individuals have already been implicated in a prior complaint filed regarding the theft of donations, raising questions about the internal governance and oversight mechanisms within the trust.

This investigation has sparked concern among devotees and stakeholders regarding the transparency and integrity of financial operations at one of India’s most revered religious sites. The findings of the SIT underscore the necessity for stronger security protocols and management practices to safeguard the sanctity of the Ram temple and its donations, as it continues to draw millions of devotees each year.

Source: scroll.in