New SIT formed to probe Ram Temple donation theft
A second special investigation team will expand its probe into the Ram Temple donation theft case.
The first SIT report investigating the theft of offerings from the Ram Temple yielded no significant findings. The blame was placed on the trust's staff, while the major culprits either emerged unscathed or were let off. Now, the government states that the second Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the theft will expand its scope. The SIT will also examine various aspects related to the administrative functioning of the temple trust. However, the question remains whether those who were cleared in the first SIT report will be accused in the second one.
According to a report by The Deccan Herald, the SIT led by Lucknow Range Inspector General (IG) Kiran S may request additional documents from the trust and re-analyse evidence related to the misappropriation of devotees' offerings. The team is likely to visit Ayodhya soon. The SIT includes Ayodhya Range DIG Somen Barma and Ayodhya SSP Gaurav Grover. A forensic auditor and another expert have also been added to the investigation. It is said that,
the SIT will investigate the role of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust officials based on statements recorded and evidence gathered so far. Additionally, the roles of State Bank of India (SBI) officials, outsourced employees, and other staff involved in collecting and counting the offerings are being re-examined. The aim is to determine if any of them had a role in the crime. The new SIT has issued notices to more than 200 people for questioning. Former trust general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra may also be questioned.
An FIR was registered in this case based on the preliminary report of the first SIT, which was led by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant. The police had arrested eight accused in connection with the theft and recorded statements of trust officials. Sources further claimed that the scope of the investigation has now been extended to include financial irregularities in expenses on religious rituals and festivals at the temple.
These new developments have emerged at a time when the trust has tightened its monitoring of offering management. Trust member Mahant Dinendra Das stated on Saturday that the investigation into irregularities related to gold, silver, and other offerings is in its final stages. Since July 25, every stage of the offering handling process has been under continuous videography surveillance. Additional CCTV cameras have been installed, and an eight-member monitoring team has been deployed to enhance transparency.
Notably, the first SIT report stated that the responsibility for the theft at Ayodhya's Ram Temple primarily lies with the staff counting the offerings, but some of those supervising them were also held accountable. This report was submitted to the Additional Chief Secretary in charge of the state's Home Department on June 23, 2026. The report was also discussed in a meeting of the trustees overseeing the temple's operations. The report held the employees counting the offerings and their supervisors directly or indirectly responsible for the fraud. According to the report, the valuable items donated to the temple were not stored securely. Only a few items, which came to light in the media, were traced or identified. The report stated that the temple trustees neither properly monitored the counting of offerings nor paid adequate attention to the security of the premises where the counting took place.
In fact, at one point, the temple administration had taken some steps in collaboration with a bank to strengthen security arrangements, but those measures were not implemented. Moreover, the security arrangements were later weakened. According to the SIT, this negligence made the theft possible. The SIT's preliminary report stated,
"This was not merely a technical or procedural error, but a deliberate negligence that led to the theft/misappropriation."
The report also mentions the salaries of the counting staff, who were appointed at approximately ₹20,000 per month. Additionally, it refers to the trust's own recovery of about ₹78 lakh before the current controversy surfaced. The report states, "All employees/officers of the trust responsible for implementing, supervising, and monitoring the counting management process are accountable for this serious lapse." It is presented as a "preliminary report" related to the "theft/misappropriation of gift/offering amounts during the counting process at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Ayodhya." The report indicates that the SIT's final report will be prepared based on the investigation of several other issues and individuals separate from the preliminary inquiry.