UP forms SIT to investigate Ram Temple donation misappropriation allegations

UP Govt Forms SIT To Probe Ram Temple Donation Misappropriation After Trust's Request Over ₹7 Crore Allegations

Ayodhya: The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of misappropriation of donations from the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, officials said on Saturday.Purpose of InvestigationThe SIT has been set up to examine claims of irregularities related to the temple’s donation boxes and to ensure a transparent and impartial inquiry into the matter that has drawn significant public attention.According to the official order, the SIT will be headed by Vijay Vishwas Pant, IAS, Divisional Commissioner of Lucknow. The team will also include Kiran S, IPS, Inspector General of Police (Range), and Neel Ratan, Special Secretary, Finance Department.Trigger for ProbeThe decision follows the Trust’s request for an independent probe amid allegations of financial irregularities involving employees handling donation collections. The controversy escalated after reports of suspected misappropriation of a large sum of donation money.Earlier, the Trust had detained two employees responsible for counting donations on suspicion of irregularities. Both were questioned after reports suggested disproportionate assets in relation to their salaries. One employee was said to have purchased land worth around Rs 1.5 crore, while another allegedly acquired property worth about Rs 40 lakh despite earning a monthly salary of Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000.Search at Former Employee's HomeIn a related development, police along with Trust officials had conducted a search at the residence of former temple employee Lavkush Mishra in Meenapur Thakuran village under Rudauli area. During the search, cash amounting to around Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12 lakh was recovered, officials said.Ram Temple Trust Seeks SIT Probe Into ₹7 Crore Donation Misappropriation Allegations, Two Employees HeldLavkush Mishra, 27, who had worked at the temple, has been accused of misappropriating donation funds. His family has denied the allegations and claimed that the recovered cash was taken away by officials during the search. They also rejected any link between the accused and property construction in Faizabad.The Trust has said the allegations have been accompanied by rumours and misinformation and has supported a formal SIT probe to establish facts and ensure transparency in the handling of donations made by devotees.With the SIT now constituted, the investigation will proceed under senior administrative and police officials to verify allegations and examine all related financial transactions in the case.

14 hours ago

Ram Temple Trust Seeks SIT Probe Into ₹7 Crore Donation Misappropriation Allegations, Two Employees Held

Ayodhya: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to order a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of misappropriation of donations collected from the Ram Temple's donation boxes, amid what it described as rumours and misinformation surrounding the case.Rumours and MisinformationAccording to sources, the Trust has sought an SIT investigation to establish the facts and prevent the spread of speculation after claims surfaced that nearly Rs 7 crore from the temple's donation boxes had been stolen.The development comes after the Trust detained two employees responsible for counting donations on suspicion of financial irregularities. Suspicious Land PurchasesThe two employees are currently being questioned. Media reports claimed that one of them had recently purchased land worth around Rs 1.5 crore, while another allegedly bought a plot valued at about Rs 40 lakh, despite drawing monthly salaries of Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000.Meanwhile, Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra visited Ayodhya for the second time in five days. He declined to comment on questions related to the alleged embezzlement.Raid at Accused's ResidenceIn a related development, police, accompanied by Ram Temple Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and other officials, conducted a raid at the residence of accused former temple worker Lavkush Mishra in Meenapur Thakuran village under Rudauli area. During the operation, cash amounting to around Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12 lakh was recovered.Lavkush Mishra, 27, who had been employed at the Ram Temple, is accused of misappropriating money collected from the temple's donation boxes.Father's DefenseHis father, Bachchu Lal, claimed that three to four representatives from the Trust, including Champat Rai, arrived at their house, broke open the lock and took away the cash. He said he had no knowledge of the money as he had been staying in Ghaziabad.RJD Chief Lalu Prasad's Birthday Row: Rabri Devi's Diamond Bracelet Gift To Singer Triggers JD(U) Demand For EOU ProbeHe also denied reports linking his son to the construction of a house in Faizabad, saying the property was being built by him after mortgaging 10 to 12 bighas of agricultural land. "My son had been working at the Ram Temple for the last five to six months after being recommended for the job by our relative Ravi Mishra. The house under construction has nothing to do with him. Whatever money my son had brought from the temple was taken away by the officials who came to our house. We have nothing further to do with it," he said.Villagers said Lavkush had earlier worked as a car mechanic and that his financial condition improved significantly after joining the temple. Some residents also claimed that a portion of the cash had allegedly been hidden in a manure pit before being recovered by the police.The Trust has maintained that a comprehensive SIT investigation is necessary to ascertain the facts, dispel rumours and ensure complete transparency in the handling of donations made by devotees.

15 hours ago