Ayodhya Temple Funds Row: SIT to Probe Alleged Donation Disappearance

The Uttar Pradesh government has established a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to delve into the alleged disappearance of donation funds intended for the Ayodhya Ram Temple. This move comes after growing concerns and a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust itself, which manages the temple's affairs.

The controversy intensified when a significant amount, ₹10 lakh, was reportedly recovered from the residence of an employee involved in counting cash donations in Ayodhya. While the Trust's general secretary, Champat Rai, stated that internal audits are regularly conducted and the current audit is still underway with "nothing significant detected so far," a Trust member reportedly emphasized the need for an impartial probe by the SIT. Former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh also added fuel to the fire, claiming knowledge of alleged misuse but declining to provide details.

The newly formed SIT comprises Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, inspector general of police (Lucknow range) Kiran S, and special secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan. Their mandate is to conduct a detailed investigation and submit findings to the government. The Trust has called the allegations a "serious conspiracy aimed at tarnishing the image of the Teerth Kshetra and hurting the sentiments of millions of devotees," urging that the truth must come to light.

Politically, the issue has drawn sharp reactions. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav intensified his criticism of the Yogi Adityanath-led government, suggesting that the source of the alleged conspiracy was not far away and that action should be swift if the truth is to be uncovered. The Congress party has also joined the attack, demanding full accountability and transparency in the handling of the immense donations made by devotees nationwide.

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