Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Trust Announces Transparency Reforms

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust, which oversees the Ayodhya Ram temple, remains under a Supreme Court‑monitored investigation into alleged embezzlement of devotees' donations. In response, the trust has created a permanent nine‑member religious committee headed by treasurer Mahant Govind Dev Giri and has announced several administrative reforms.

Key measures include live CCTV monitoring of donation counting, the presence of an Assistant General Manager of Indian Bank and a Swarna Rajat Finance representative during the counting process, and a review of the trust’s banking arrangements, particularly its relationship with the State Bank of India. The trust also reconstituted its religious committee and appointed an official spokesperson to improve public communication. Eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the donation‑counting controversy, with about 30 others still under scrutiny. A further court hearing is scheduled for 27 July.