Allegations of embezzlement have surfaced regarding donations collected at India's prominent Ram temple in Ayodhya, two-and-a-half years after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The temple, built on a site previously occupied by a 16th-century mosque, has become a major pilgrimage center attracting millions of visitors annually.
The controversy centers on the handling of cash, jewelry, gold, and silver offered by devotees since the temple opened in January 2024. Petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court calling for a federal police investigation into the matter. In response, the state government has established a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the claims.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the shrine, has denied any improper handling of donations. Champat Rai, the trust's general secretary, stated in a video message that the counting of offerings and the counting room are regularly audited by trustees, workers, and employees of the State Bank of India. He added that no discrepancies have been observed.
The temple complex, which includes six smaller shrines, draws an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 visitors daily, with numbers increasing significantly on weekends and during festivals. Devotees typically leave their offerings in approximately 35 donation boxes located throughout the site.
In the financial year 2024-25, the trust reported an income of 3.27 billion rupees ($35 million), positioning it as one of India's highest-earning temples. A former city legislator has claimed that more than 70 million rupees ($739,550) are unaccounted for.