Scam record · 2026 · Money & funding
Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation row: embezzlement probe (2026)
Devotee cash, gold, silver, and jewellery offerings at the Ram temple sparked a national row. Opposition alleged theft and misappropriation running into crores, with some leaders citing about ₹200 crore. UP police registered an FIR, arrested eight counting-unit staff, recovered about ₹80 lakh, and an SIT is probing. Trust denied wrongdoing. ₹200 crore is not a court-proven total.
The Ram temple in Ayodhya is the BJP's signature faith-and-politics project, inaugurated by the Prime Minister in January 2024. Devotees fill dozens of donation boxes every day. In June 2026, that sacred cash became a corruption fight.
Whistleblower Mahipal Singh, who had supervised accounts work for the trust, publicly raised concerns about how cash and precious metals were handled. He later told BBC Hindi he had received death threats and would not speak further. His claims were not independently verified at that stage, but the political storm was already live.
Opposition leaders alleged large-scale theft. AAP's Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leaders publicly cited figures around ₹200 crore in cash and valuables missing or misused. That number is an allegation in the political arena. It is not a CBI audit finding and not a court judgment. Andhbhakths who treat every slogan as proof should also treat every crore claim as pending proof.
What is on the official record so far: the Uttar Pradesh government set up a Special Investigation Team. After an interim SIT report, Ayodhya police registered an FIR for alleged embezzlement. Eight people linked to counting cash and valuables were named, arrested, and sent to judicial custody. Prosecutors said about ₹79.85 lakh cash was recovered from the accused. The FIR also leaves room for 'others'.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust denied wrongdoing and said counting was audited with trustee and bank staff presence. Opposition parties called staff arrests an eyewash and demanded CBI or court-monitored probes into senior trust names. Petitions reached the Supreme Court. Status today: probe ongoing. Faith was sold as purity. Devotees deserve receipts.
What is proven here
Proof level: BBC and major Indian coverage of the row; UP SIT; FIR; eight arrests; ~₹80 lakh recovered (prosecution statements to court/media). The ~₹200 crore figure is an opposition allegation, not a proven audit total. Trust denies systemic theft. Final quantum and higher-up liability remain under investigation.
Sources
- BBC: Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft row (News + docs)
- The Hindu: eight accused arrested, ~₹80 lakh recovered (News + docs)
- Times of India: SIT, arrests, counting-unit link (News + docs)
- Times Now: allegations, denials, and what the probe covers (News + docs)
- Deccan Chronicle: Congress cites ~₹200 crore allegation, seeks CBI (News + docs)