The 70-page preliminary report recommends an administrative overhaul and legal action against 25 key suspects
NEW DELHI — The Special Investigation Team probing the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation scam has submitted a 70-page preliminary report after returning to Lucknow, sources said. The SIT, led by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, flagged missing surveillance footage and alleged collusion by internal trust members as key structural vulnerabilities.
The report named two senior Ram Temple Trust office-bearers as “highly suspicious” based on witness statements and documentary evidence.
The SIT recommended a complete overhaul of the temple administration. It suggested the state government appoint a senior retired IAS officer as CEO of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to remove compromised functionaries from financial roles.
Investigators said critical CCTV footage was deleted or altered during periods when large cash and gold transactions were suspected. While the temple system auto-deletes footage every 45 days, cyber-forensic experts are trying to recover scrubbed files from hard drives.
The probe identified around 150 suspects in the siphoning chain, including cash counter staff, bank representatives, and trust handlers. Legal and administrative action is being prepared against 25 key players.
Before leaving Ayodhya, the SIT barred all temple functionaries, accountants, and suspects from leaving the city, state, or country without permission.
Missing Silver, Replacement of Ornaments
The SIT is tracking 60 kg of silver bars donated by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association during the temple’s Pran Pratishtha ceremony. The silver has no receipt, storage ledger, or utilisation entry.
The report also alleged that high-value gold necklaces, diamond ornaments, and historical charan padukas were replaced with counterfeit items. This follows the earlier recovery of cash hidden by the arrested employee Lav Kush Mishra.
The state home department is preparing an FIR on charges of grand theft, breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to review the 70-page dossier before approving punitive action.
Political and Legal Fallout
Opposition parties have demanded a CBI probe. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav called the state SIT probe “insufficient” and sought an independent investigation. AAP leader Sanjay Singh questioned the delay in filing an FIR.
However, BJP leaders and trust general secretary Champat Rai dismissed the allegations as “politically motivated”, saying bank deposits and audits are regulated and culprits will face action.
Court Petitions
A major Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by advocate Mohit Ashok before the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court. The petition urgently requested a formal, court-monitored investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and a comprehensive forensic audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). It also urged a strict legal mandate to preserve all financial logs, electronic receipts, and remaining CCTV footage before they are overwritten.
In parallel, advocate Anoop Prakash Awasthi has moved a letter petition in the Supreme Court. The plea highlighted that individuals connected to the temple management hold assets vastly disproportionate to their known income. It demanded a permanent judicial oversight mechanism to monitor the collection, custody, and disbursal of all future temple offerings.
