Ram Mandir Donation Row - How the Investigation Unfolded

The alleged financial irregularities linked to donations at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir have witnessed several significant developments over the past few weeks. The controversy began on June 7 after Samajwadi Party leader and former minister Pawan Pandey alleged that between ₹5 crore and ₹7.5 crore had been stolen from the temple's donation collections. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also raised the issue on social media the same day. However, Ram Mandir Trust General Secretary Champat Rai rejected the allegations, stating that the trust maintains complete records of every donation. Following the controversy, the Prime Minister's Office reportedly sought a detailed report from the trust, while senior officials held multiple meetings to review the matter.

As the case progressed, a viral video by former trust accountant Mahipal Singh, claiming he had noticed financial irregularities during 2021–22, intensified the debate before it was later removed. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was subsequently formed, which questioned trust officials, bank representatives and members of the private agency involved in counting donations, besides examining financial records. On June 23, the SIT submitted its preliminary report to the Home Department. Two days later, police registered an FIR against eight accused and arrested them. The investigation into the alleged irregularities is continuing.