Special Investigation Team probes Ram Mandir donation theft
Following a July 20, 2026 directive from the Supreme Court, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a three‑member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The team is headed by Inspector General Kiran S., with Deputy Inspector General Somen Verma and Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Gaurav Grover. The SIT has recorded statements from bank personnel who counted the temple donations and is preparing to question former trustee Dr Anil Mishra, with the possibility of questioning other trust officials such as Gopal Rao.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the temple, postponed the appointment of its first chief executive officer by about a month, appointed a spokesperson, and named a full‑time General Secretary while reconstituting its religious committee. Opposition parties reacted strongly: Samajwadi Party MPs led by Akhilesh Yadav staged a protest in Parliament, demanding a high‑level probe and alleging that the misappropriation of donations has shaken the faith of crores of devotees worldwide. The party plans to raise the issue during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Entities: Akhilesh Yadav · Dr Anil Mishra · Inspector General Kiran S. · Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust · Supreme Court of India
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Statements of bank personnel who counted temple offerings have been recorded by the SIT. (investigation team)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] According to SP officials, the alleged theft of Ram Mandir donations has been occurring since 1990. (political claim)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] SP MP Ramgopal Yadav said the theft concerns the faith of crores of people worldwide. (parliamentary statement)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Samajwadi Party MPs, led by Akhilesh Yadav, protested in Parliament demanding a high‑level probe into the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft. (political protest)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust deferred appointing its first CEO by a month, appointed a spokesperson, and named a full‑time General Secretary while reconstituting its religious‑council (trust announcement)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three‑member SIT headed by IG Kiran S., with DIG Somen Verma and SSP Dr Gaurav Grover. (government order)
- [DISPUTED] The Supreme Court directed the formation of a new Special Investigation Team on July 20, 2026. (court directive)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The SIT is preparing to question former trustee Dr Anil Mishra about alleged theft of Ram Mandir donations. (investigation team)