Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft case: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple has reportedly given a clean chit to former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai.

People familiar with the developments said Rai's name does not appear in the SIT's final report. Former Trust member Anil Mishra has also not been named. The report has been examined by the Home Department and sent to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for further action.

Champat Rai, Anil Mishra resigned in June

Champat Rai and Anil Mishra stepped down from their positions in the temple trust on June 27, while the investigation into alleged irregularities in the handling of temple donations was underway. The first SIT was formed on June 13 on the directions of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the temple trust sought a probe.

The team was headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant. Lucknow Range IG Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar were the other members.

SIT report led to FIR in Ayodhya

The SIT submitted its preliminary findings to the state government on June 23. An FIR was subsequently registered at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi police station in Ayodhya on June 25. The case was filed following a complaint by Trust member Krishna Mohan.

Eight persons named in the FIR have been arrested. They are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu. All eight accused are currently in jail.

What did the first SIT find?

The preliminary investigation found that cash thefts allegedly took place around 70 times in the temple's counting room between April 27 and June 5, 2026. According to the findings, CCTV footage showed employees allegedly hiding and taking away cash on several occasions.

The SIT also raised questions over the security procedures followed inside the counting facility. It found that some of the standard operating procedures agreed upon by the temple trust and the State Bank of India were not being properly followed.

Among the concerns was the lack of proper frisking of people while entering and leaving the counting area.

Second SIT continues probe

A separate SIT is now investigating the FIR registered in Ayodhya. The second team is headed by Lucknow Range IG Kiran S. The investigation is being carried out following directions from the Supreme Court. The second probe will look into the allegations and the FIR separately from the findings of the first SIT.

How Ram Temple donation controversy Bbegan

The controversy came into the spotlight on June 7 after Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan 'Pawan' Pandey alleged that between Rs 5 crore and Rs 7.5 crore had been siphoned off from temple donations. The allegations prompted the temple trust to seek an investigation.

The state government formed the first SIT on June 13. Its preliminary inquiry was conducted in Ayodhya between June 15 and June 20.

During the inquiry, investigators examined various parts of the donation system, including collection boxes, cash counting, storage, accounting, access control and CCTV monitoring. The preliminary findings pointed to possible irregularities in the handling of cash and valuables donated by devotees.

What is Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust?

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was established by the Government of India after the Supreme Court's 2019 verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute. The Trust was given responsibility for overseeing the construction and management of the Ram Temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of the Trust in 2020.

According to information on the Trust's website, it has 15 members. Twelve members were appointed by the government, while three more were selected during the Trust's first meeting.

Trust received over Rs 82 crore in donations

The temple trust received donations of Rs 82.78 crore between April 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026. The figure was presented before the Trust's executive committee at a meeting held in Ayodhya on March 21.

The latest SIT report has cleared the names of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, according to people familiar with the report. However, the separate investigation into the alleged theft case is still underway.

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