Ram Temple Donation Row: FIR Filed in Ayodhya After SIT Report, Eight Accused Arrested

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The alleged embezzlement of donations offered by devotees at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has escalated into a full-fledged criminal investigation after Uttar Pradesh Police registered an FIR on Thursday, marking a significant development in one of the most sensitive controversies surrounding the country’s most prominent religious site.

The case emerged after a Special Investigation Team submitted its preliminary findings to the Uttar Pradesh government earlier this week, prompting swift administrative action and intensifying scrutiny over the handling of offerings made by millions of devotees visiting the temple.

Police officials confirmed that the FIR has been registered in Ayodhya following a complaint filed by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Investigators have named eight individuals in connection with the alleged misappropriation of temple donations and have initiated legal proceedings under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Those named in the case include Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Anukalp Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Karunesh Pandey, Manish Yadav, Lavkush Mishra, Ramashankar Mishra and Subhash Srivastava. Authorities confirmed that action has been initiated against the accused as investigators continue to examine financial records and operational procedures linked to the collection and management of donations.

The FIR invokes charges related to theft by an employee or servant entrusted with property, criminal breach of trust, dishonest receipt of stolen property and criminal conspiracy. Officials indicated that the legal provisions were added following recommendations made by the SIT after examining preliminary evidence gathered during the probe.

The state government constituted the Special Investigation Team on June 13 after allegations surfaced regarding irregularities in the handling of donations received at the temple. Significantly, the request for an investigation reportedly came from the temple trust itself, a move that officials believe reflects an attempt to ensure transparency and maintain public confidence in the institution.

The investigation panel comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan. The inclusion of senior administrative, police and finance officials signalled the seriousness with which the state government intended to handle the allegations from the very beginning.

Senior government officials indicated that the preliminary findings submitted by the SIT contained what they described as “strong and strict recommendations.” Sources within the administration stated that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken a serious view of the matter and has directed officials to ensure that anyone found guilty faces stringent legal consequences.

“Whosoever is found guilty would be sternly dealt with,” a senior officer said while explaining the sequence of events that led to the filing of the FIR.

The controversy has rapidly moved beyond a financial dispute and entered the political arena, with opposition parties demanding accountability and transparency in the management of donations offered by devotees from across India and abroad.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad, which has traditionally played a central role in the Ram Temple movement, added pressure on authorities by publicly supporting demands for the registration of a criminal case. The organisation’s intervention highlighted the growing concern among religious groups that allegations surrounding the handling of donations could undermine public trust if left unanswered.

Political activity in Ayodhya intensified further on Thursday evening when senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, including Arvind Kejriwal, reached the temple town and demanded immediate legal action in the case. Their visit underscored the national attention the issue has attracted and reflected the political sensitivity surrounding any controversy linked to the Ram Temple.

For many devotees, the issue goes beyond financial irregularities. Donations offered at temples carry deep emotional and religious significance, representing faith, gratitude and personal devotion. Any allegation involving the misuse of such offerings inevitably generates strong public reactions and demands for accountability.

The filing of the FIR now marks the beginning of what could become an extensive criminal investigation involving financial audits, witness testimonies and scrutiny of operational procedures within the donation management system. Investigators are expected to examine transaction records, collection mechanisms and internal controls to determine the extent of any wrongdoing and identify those responsible.

As the probe gathers momentum, authorities face the difficult task of balancing legal accountability with the need to preserve public confidence in one of India’s most revered religious institutions. The coming weeks are likely to determine not only the legal consequences for those accused but also the broader impact this controversy may have on governance and transparency in the administration of major religious trusts across the country.