Investigation into Alleged Misappropriation of Donations at Ram Temple
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing allegations of misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple, focusing on whether stolen gold jewelry was melted down to hide its identity. Despite several search operations, missing items remain unaccounted for, raising further suspicions. The SIT has conducted visits to the temple, inquired about inventory management, and requested detailed records from the government Mint. Concerns have also emerged regarding the Trust's oversight of donations, particularly in tracking the quantity and value of precious offerings. This investigation sheds light on the financial practices surrounding the temple's donations.
| Jul 4, 2026, 13:02 IST
SIT Probes Allegations of Gold Theft at Ram Temple
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is currently examining claims regarding the misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple. Investigators are looking into whether stolen gold jewelry was melted down into gold bars to conceal its identity. Sources informed a Media House about the ongoing investigation. Authorities suspect that the culprits may have melted the stolen gold and silver jewelry to make it difficult to trace the original items. Despite multiple search operations aimed at recovering the missing jewelry linked to the theft, no items have been found, intensifying suspicions.
SIT's Actions and Findings
As part of the investigation, SIT officials visited the Ram Temple, performed rituals for Ram Lalla, and inquired with the temple in-charge, KD Babu, about the inventory, storage, and maintenance of jewelry and other valuable offerings made by devotees. The investigation team has also requested records related to the jewelry and other valuable donations, along with transaction details from the government-run 'Printing and Minting Corporation of India' (Mint). Authorities are scrutinizing the complete accounting of precious metals sent to banks and the Mint, ensuring a thorough examination of the entire process.
Concerns Over Financial Oversight
According to sources, the investigation revealed that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust does review cash donations and income during its quarterly meetings. However, detailed records regarding the quantity, valuation, and stock of gold, silver, and other valuable offerings were not consistently included in the agenda. In the initial phase of assessing the quality and quantity of precious metals received from devotees, the Trust sent 9.44 quintals (944 kilograms) of silver for testing and melting to the government-operated Mint. The Trust's former general secretary, Champat Rai, had previously stated that the temple received approximately 13 quintals of silver and around 20 kilograms of gold in donations.