Last Updated on June 15, 2026 12:50 am by INDIAN AWAAZ
Agencies / Ayodhya/Lucknow
Amid allegations of financial irregularities involving donations collected at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, the Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the matter. The panel has been directed to submit a preliminary report within seven days and a final report within 15 days.
The move comes after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust rejected reports of an alleged large-scale theft from the temple’s donation boxes and requested an official investigation to establish the facts.
Three-Member SIT to Conduct Inquiry
The government-appointed SIT includes:
- Vijay Vishwas Pant (IAS), Divisional Commissioner, Lucknow
- Kiran S (IPS), Inspector General of Police
- Neel Ratan, Special Secretary, Finance Department
The team has been tasked with determining whether any financial misconduct or misappropriation took place and whether established procedures relating to donation management were followed.
What Triggered the Controversy?
The controversy emerged after reports surfaced alleging irregularities involving nearly ₹7 crore in temple donations. The issue gained political attention after opposition leaders, including former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, questioned the handling of temple funds.
Following public debate, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust maintained that the allegations were unverified and sought an independent inquiry.
Recovery Claims and Investigation
During the course of the inquiry, reports emerged of action being taken in Minapur Thakuran Fagauli village in the Rudauli area, where cash was reportedly recovered during a search operation. A 27-year-old former temple worker, Lavkush Mishra, has been named in connection with allegations relating to the handling of donation funds.
However, family members denied wrongdoing. His father, Bachchulal, stated that the family’s assets and ongoing house construction were unrelated to his son’s employment at the temple and claimed that construction expenses were being met through mortgaging agricultural land.
Nripendra Mishra Declines Comment on Donation Issue
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Construction Committee, Nripendra Mishra, visited Ayodhya during the ongoing developments. When asked by journalists about the donation-related allegations, he declined to comment and said:
“I only oversee construction work and nothing beyond that.”
During the visit, he reviewed progress on several ongoing infrastructure projects within the temple complex, including the boundary wall, trust office, pilgrim facilities, Shankaracharya Gate and other development works.
Attention is now focused on the SIT investigation, which is expected to clarify whether there is any factual basis to the allegations and what further action, if any, may follow.