Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation row: How donations are collected, counted and audited

The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine allegations relating to donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya after claims surfaced that several crores of rupees may be unaccounted for. The three-member SIT comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police (Lucknow Range) Kiran S, and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan. The team has been directed to submit a preliminary report within seven days and a final report within 15 days.

The controversy began after Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged that crores of rupees from donations made at the temple were missing and called for judicial intervention. He described the matter as highly sensitive for devotees and sought greater transparency from the temple trust. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust stated that internal audits were underway and that no evidence supporting the allegations had emerged. The trust also requested a detailed investigation to establish the facts and address concerns circulating on social media.

The issue intensified after several political leaders commented on the allegations. Former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh claimed he was aware of alleged misuse of donations but did not disclose details. BJP leader Rajneesh Singh wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking public disclosure of the trust's finances, assets, donations, expenditures, bank accounts and land transactions. Former BJP MP Vinay Katiyar described the allegations as serious and highlighted the long-standing public movement associated with the temple.

A representation has also been submitted before the Supreme Court seeking registration of an FIR and a court-monitored investigation into the alleged misappropriation of donations. The representation argued that the issue concerns the faith of millions of devotees and stated that no FIR has yet been registered despite allegations involving donations made by large numbers of worshippers. Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad additionally sought the removal of existing trust members until the completion of the investigation and called for a probe overseen by a committee headed by sitting Supreme Court judges.

The trust has established about four large donation boxes at various points along the temple complex and darshan route. Cash collected from these boxes is counted by the State Bank of India, which has engaged a private agency for the process. A 14-member team comprising 11 bank employees and three trust representatives is responsible for counting donations received through the boxes. Donations collected at designated counters are accepted against official receipts.

The Ram Temple has received substantial donations since its inauguration in January 2024. Devotees reportedly donated nearly ₹3.17 crore on the first day of public opening, while approximately ₹11 crore was received during the first 11 days. According to annual financial disclosures for 2024-25, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust reported earnings of nearly ₹327 crore, including ₹153 crore from donations and ₹173 crore from interest income. The trust has reported an average daily footfall of 70,000 to 80,000 visitors, with significantly higher numbers during weekends and festivals.