SBI sought to replace Ram Temple's cash-counting staff months ago, Trust refused: Report

The recent allegations surrounding the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have sparked a major legal and administrative inquiry. Central to the investigation is the possibility that stolen gold ornaments from the shrine were melted and transformed into gold biscuits to obscure their origins. This theory has prompted the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expand its probe beyond the initial focus on financial mismanagement. According to reports, the UP Police is now examining whether the stolen gold and silver items were processed into smaller, more discreet forms to evade detection. This development marks a significant shift in the ongoing investigation, which began when the Uttar Pradesh government formed the SIT on June 13, following preliminary findings of irregularities in how donations were handled.

The SIT’s investigation has uncovered several troubling aspects of the temple’s financial practices. One key revelation is that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust did not maintain detailed records of the quantity, valuation, and storage of gold, silver, and other valuable offerings received from devotees. While the trust regularly reviewed cash donations and income during quarterly meetings, these discussions rarely included specifics about the precious metals collected. This lack of transparency has raised serious concerns among investigators, who are now scrutinizing the trust’s internal processes and accountability measures.

In addition to the gold-related suspicions, the SIT has also launched a re-audit of the trust’s accounts, covering a five-year period. The audit will examine not only the financial inflows and expenditures but also the handling of gold, silver, jewelry, and other valuables. This comprehensive review comes amid growing scrutiny over the trust’s management of donations, particularly after the alleged embezzlement scandal came to light on June 7. The SIT’s findings led to the filing of an FIR on June 25, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals connected to the donation-counting process. Among those detained is Avinash Shukla, who was involved in the counting operation and whose residence yielded a substantial cash recovery of nearly ₹ 80 lakh. Other suspects include Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastav, and Ramashankar Yadav, known as Tinnu Yadav.

The controversy has also drawn attention to the role of the State Bank of India (SBI) in the matter. SBI had flagged irregularities in the donation-counting process three months prior to the alleged fraud surfacing. The bank had recommended the replacement of the current staff due to suspected fraudulent activities, but the trust allegedly refused to act on the recommendations. Instead, the trust allowed the same employees to continue their duties, raising further questions about the integrity of the donation system. The SBI’s involvement highlights the broader systemic issues in how religious institutions manage large sums of money, especially when dealing with high-value donations.

Political tensions have also intensified as opposition parties demand greater transparency and accountability. The Congress has called for a public accounting of donations collected before the trust’s formation and has urged the Supreme Court to oversee the investigation. Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) expressed disappointment over the alleged theft, stating that it had deeply hurt the faith of devotees and called for strict action against those found guilty. These reactions underscore the sensitivity of the issue, given the cultural and religious significance of the Ram Temple to millions of devotees.

Looking ahead, the SIT is expected to intensify its efforts to uncover the full scope of the alleged misconduct. With the trust facing mounting pressure, both internally and politically, the outcome of the investigation could have far-reaching implications for the management of religious endowments in India. As the probe continues, the focus remains on determining the extent of the alleged fraud, identifying those responsible, and ensuring that such violations do not recur in the future. The case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in overseeing the finances of institutions that hold immense spiritual and social importance.