Ayodhya (UP): The SIT probing the alleged embezzlement of funds at the Ram Temple here has instructed trust and temple functionaries not to leave Ayodhya, according to temple sources, who claimed that investigators found discrepancies in the documentation of offerings such as gold, silver and precious stones.
The instruction by the three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was issued before its members left for Lucknow on Sunday.
The sources said one of the key findings of the SIT pertains to the records of gold and silver jewellery and other precious stones, including diamonds, offered by devotees to Lord Ram. According to them, investigators found discrepancies in the documentation and accounting of such offerings.
During the course of questioning, several office-bearers of the temple trust were allegedly unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the inventory, storage and accounting of gold, silver ornaments and other valuable items received as offerings, the sources claimed.
They further alleged that major irregularities may have occurred during the Maha Kumbh Mela period in January-February 2025, when the temple witnessed an unprecedented influx of devotees.
According to the sources, nearly 10 lakh devotees visited the temple daily during the over two-month-long period, and donation boxes were reportedly filled with currency notes within hours, making the monitoring and accounting of donations a major focus of the SIT's investigation.
The temple sources said the daily investigation reports, including those related to the questioning of trust officials and others connected with the probe, have been saved in digital form. The report will be given its final shape before being presented to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath.
At the same time, the SIT was sending reports of its findings to the Chief Minister's Office on a daily basis, they said.
The sources added that the SIT's probe did not remain limited to investigating the alleged embezzlement of funds, but also covered land purchases made by the temple trust in different phases, as well as the procurement of building materials for the temple.
The temple trust had allegedly purchased land at several times the market rate. The issue had been vocally raised by various political parties, including the Samajwadi Party and the Aam Aadmi Party.
On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted an SIT following a request from the temple trust after allegations of misappropriation of donations received at the Ayodhya Ram Temple surfaced.
The SIT comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S, and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan.
