Ram Mandir Donation Case: Lucknow HC To Hear Plea For Independent Probe Today, SIT Investigation Continues

Last Updated:June 24, 2026, 07:22 IST

A three-member SIT is already examining the allegations. The team may resume questioning witnesses and stakeholders on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation.

The controversy surrounding donations made at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has taken a legal turn, with a hearing scheduled before the Lucknow bench of the High Court on a petition seeking an independent investigation into alleged embezzlement and financial irregularities involving devotees’ offerings.

The case centres on allegations that cash and valuables donated to the temple may have been misappropriated. Questions have been raised over the handling of 70 kg of silver, 1,250 kg of gold, Rs 200 crore in cash and other donated items, including offerings linked to Lord Ram’s idol and sacred padukas.

High Court hearing today

The petition before the High Court seeks an independent probe into the alleged misuse of donation money and valuables offered by devotees at the Ram Mandir.

The controversy has now moved beyond political debate and entered the legal arena, with the court hearing expected to play a key role in determining the next course of action.

SIT continues investigation

A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) is already examining the allegations. The team may resume questioning witnesses and stakeholders on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Uttar Pradesh government constituted the SIT on June 13 following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to investigate the allegations.

According to an official statement, the SIT has already submitted its preliminary report to the Home Department.

Vijay Vishwas Pant, Commissioner of the Lucknow Division and a key member of the SIT, along with two other members, submitted the report to Sanjay Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Uttar Pradesh.

Pant clarified that the report submitted so far is only preliminary.

Final report in 15 days

Speaking to News18 India, Vijay Vishwas Pant said the investigation was continuing and that a final report would be submitted to the government within 15 days.

“The investigation will continue. We will submit the final report to the government within 15 days. If more facts emerge, we will seek additional time from the government. This is a confidential investigation report," he said.

Pant said the SIT, constituted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the request of the temple trust, was examining all aspects of the matter and conducting a comprehensive investigation.

Sources earlier said the SIT completed its initial probe after six days in Ayodhya. During the exercise, the team questioned nearly 150 people, including trust officials, management staff, temple workers, bank employees and personnel associated with the counting process.

Opposition raises questions

The donation row has triggered sharp political reactions. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that some people were “filling their pockets" and claimed a fresh layer of the controversy had emerged involving the alleged disappearance of a silver slab donated by the Sindhi community, along with gold bricks and jewellery.

Congress MP Imran Masood questioned why no FIR had been registered despite what he described as a major scandal.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra also raised concerns over the alleged disappearance of donated valuables and cash. “Questions are being raised over 70 kg of silver, 1,250 kg of gold, ₹200 crore in cash, as well as the idol and sacred footwear (paduka) of Lord Ram. Yet, no FIR has been registered so far," she said.

Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh questioned the circumstances that led to the formation of the SIT. “If everything was fine, why was an SIT formed? Yogi ji went there, so clearly something is suspicious. The truth should come before the public," he said.

Earlier, sources said the SIT may recommend major changes in the functioning of the temple trust. These could include reconstituting the trust, appointing an executive officer on the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, expanding the role of ex-officio government members in supervising donation counting, conducting regular audits and ensuring transparent recruitment practices.

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