Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft | 105 Instances Of Unauthorised Currency Removal Found : SIT Tells Supreme Court
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft and misappropriation of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir on Monday told the Supreme Court that it found 105 instances of unauthorised removal or concealment of currency from the temple's counting room.
“It has also been canvassed that CCTV footage from the counting room situated in the PFC building, along with other relevant digital data, have been secured and subjected to detailed examination. That examination has revealed 105 instances of unauthorized currency removal or concealment from the counting room, involving assistance from other individuals participating in the counting process”, the Court recorded in the order.
The SIT has identified eight accused and found that some of the alleged instances involved assistance from other persons participating in the counting process. It has also estimated the amount allegedly misappropriated by each accused.
As per the SIT's status report, it also found unexplained deposits in the bank accounts of the eight accused. It identified movable and immovable assets where the allegedly stolen money was invested and detailed the recovery efforts made so far.
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana perused the SIT's September 16 status report while hearing petitions seeking an independent investigation into the alleged theft of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The petitions also seek a comprehensive audit of the Trust's finances.
The Supreme Court issued notice to the Union Government, Uttar Pradesh and the Trust in July. Last month, the Court allowed the petitioners and other public-spirited citizens to submit suggestions regarding the SIT probe to the office of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
The case was registered on June 25, 2026, against eight accused. The initial investigation collected CCTV footage, witness statements, search and recovery material, bank and financial records, property documents, mobile data, call detail records and forensic material.
The SIT has said that it examined the procedures and Standard Operating Procedures governing receipt, accounting and deposit of donations. ASA & Associates LLP, appointed as the forensic auditor, has examined bank accounts of accounting personnel and other relevant persons, valuable articles, CCTV footage and mobile data of the accused. The audit also covers online deposits in the Trust's bank accounts and reconciliation with audited financial statements.
It further said that its investigation has covered identification of suspected acts of misappropriation, identification and examination of persons involved, tracing of suspected proceeds, financial and property investigation, electronic evidence, verification of valuable articles and reconciliation of donation and banking records.
The SIT verified receipts generated by TCS software for 803 valuable articles and physically verified the State Bank of India locker in which they are stored, finding no discrepancies in respect of these articles. Another 86 valuable articles had no receipts. The SIT separately identified and physically verified them.
The SIT also examined records relating to approximately 944.411 kilograms of white metal, supposed to be silver, which the Trust sent to the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited for melting.
It also examined allegations on social media and in the media concerning donations of 200 kilograms of silver bricks, 38.288 kilograms of silver bricks, a silver necklace, Charan Paduka and a donation relating to the Ramcharitmanas. The SIT has submitted that it interviewed the persons concerned and examined the relevant material, finding no discrepancies.
The SIT said that it had recorded statements of 173 witnesses as of September 14, including Trust functionaries, accounting personnel, banking officials, security personnel, CCTV operators, Chartered Accountants, vendors and persons connected with property transactions.
The SIT has told the Court that it has substantially completed the investigation and will file the chargesheet under Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Further investigation can continue under Section 193(9) if further evidence or material comes to light.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Uttar Pradesh, informed the bench that the SIT would file the chargesheet on or before September 25, before completion of 90 days from the date of the first arrest.
The Supreme Court directed that a copy of the chargesheet be provided to it after filing so that it could examine its contents. The Court also allowed the petitioners and other public-spirited individuals to highlight issues requiring the SIT's attention, for consideration by the Additional Sessions Judge or Special Judge under Section 193(9) of the BNSS.
The petitions will next be heard on November 2, 2026.
Cases: Narendra Kumar Goswami v. Union of India and others | WP(c) 790/2026; Ajay Kumar Rai and another v. Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Theerth Kshetra Trust | WP(Crl) 241/2026; Sudhakar Singh v. Union of India and others | WP (Crl) 256/2026; Hindu Dharma Parishad v. The Union Of India And Ors. | WP(C) No. 827/2026