Supreme Court Hearing on Alleged Financial Irregularities in Ayodhya Ram Temple Donations

The Supreme Court is poised for a pivotal hearing concerning alleged financial irregularities in donations for the Ayodhya Ram Temple. A Special Investigation Team has submitted a status report, while the Nirmohi Akhara calls for a reorganization of the temple trust. The investigation has led to the arrest of key suspects, with police recovering significant amounts of cash. This case continues to unfold, raising questions about accountability and transparency in the temple's funding.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 20, 2026, 11:01 IST

Significant Supreme Court Hearing on Ram Temple Donations

Today, the Supreme Court is set to conduct a crucial hearing regarding alleged financial misconduct and irregularities related to donations for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. According to sources, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has submitted its status report to the apex court. This report was presented in a sealed envelope before a bench of three judges led by Justice Surya Kant.

Previous Court Directives and SIT Report

During the last hearing on July 13, the court instructed the SIT to provide a status report and issued a notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The bench, which included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan, provided these directives while hearing four separate petitions related to the case. The bench remarked, "Since some writ petitions indicate that certain FIRs have already been registered and an SIT has been established for the investigation, we direct the SIT formed by the Uttar Pradesh government to present a status report before this court."

Nirmohi Akhara's Appeal to the Supreme Court

In parallel to the ongoing investigation, the Nirmohi Akhara has approached the Supreme Court, requesting a reorganization of the Ram Temple Trust due to a lack of accountability. They have also urged for the honest implementation of the Supreme Court's 2019 verdict regarding the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case. Mahant Dinesh Das, a member of the Nirmohi Akhara and the Trust, stated that the Akhara operates under a Panchayati system, and the decisions made by the Panchs will be accepted by all. He told a news agency, "Everything related to Lord Ram is proceeding smoothly; religious rituals are ongoing. Everyone is cooperating, and we will achieve success."

Ongoing Investigation and Arrests

Meanwhile, the investigation continues, with police having detained the main accused, Ramashankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu, along with his nephew, Manish Yadav. Authorities have recovered ₹1 lakh from Tinnu's residence and ₹2 lakh from Manish's home. Officials have indicated that Tinnu, a close associate of Champat Rai, and Yadav will be taken to various locations by investigators to trace the stolen cash and valuables.