Ram Mandir donation scandal leads to trust resignations and arrests of eight suspects

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust confirmed that General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra submitted resignations amid a probe into alleged embezzlement of temple donations. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been investigating reports that cash, gold, silver and ornaments donated by devotees were misappropriated, with preliminary findings flagging lapses in employee verification, CCTV surveillance and fund transfers. An FIR was lodged on June 25 under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and eight individuals – including temple attendants, cash‑counting staff and a retired bank employee – were arrested and placed in judicial custody. The Trust assured devotees that all donated valuables remain safe and are properly recorded. Political reactions have been intense: the Congress and Samajwadi Party have demanded an independent, Supreme Court‑supervised inquiry, while the BJP has defended the swift action as protecting the faith of millions. Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh pledged that none of the culprits will escape punishment. The Trust will consider the resignations at its next meeting scheduled for early July, and the investigation continues.