Ram Mandir Donation Theft: Ram Lalla Consecration Under Probe After Trust's Rs 124-Crore Spend On Events

Last Updated:July 07, 2026, 12:22 IST

The biggest expenditure under examination is the Rs 113 crore spent on the Ram Lalla consecration ceremony held on January 22, 2024.

Ram Mandir Donation Row: The probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has intesified with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating Over Rs 124 crore spent on major religious events over the past two years, including the January 2024 Ram Lalla consecration ceremony, the 2025 Maha Kumbh arrangements and the Ram Temple flag-hoisting ceremony held in November 2025.

According to India Today, citig sources, the SIT is auditing the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s financial records, including audit reports, payment vouchers, bills, expenditure statements and chartered accountant records, to verify whether funds were utilised in accordance with the trust’s prescribed financial procedures and approval mechanisms.

As per sources, the expenditures are being probed as part of a broader audit exercise and has not reached any conclusions regarding financial irregularities.

The biggest expenditure under examination is the Rs 113 crore spent on the Ram Lalla consecration ceremony held on January 22, 2024, which was attended by nearly 8,000 guests. According to records being examined, major expenses included Rs 35.97 crore on sheds and tent infrastructure, Rs 30.85 crore on the Akshat Pujan campaign, Rs 21.77 crore on publicity and advertisements, and Rs 14.62 crore on decoration and lighting.

The SIT is also reviewing Rs 83 lakh spent on the first Pratishtha Dwadashi celebrations held in January 2025, including Rs 52 lakh on lighting and decoration, and Rs 43 lakh spent on arrangements for devotees during the Maha Kumbh.

Another key focus is the Ram Temple flag-hoisting ceremony held on November 25, 2025, which, according to trust records, cost Rs 10.12 crore and was attended by around 6,000 guests, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Investigators are examining whether approvals, payment procedures and head-wise expenditures complied with the trust’s financial regulations, the report added.

Apart from expenditure, the SIT is also verifying records relating to gold and silver donated to Ram Lalla. According to trust records, devotees donated 2.3 kg of gold and 83.3 kg of silver between November 2024 and February 2025, while an additional 1.5 kg of gold and 28 kg of silver were received during the Maha Kumbh. Investigators are cross-checking inventory records, storage arrangements and the current status of the valuables.

The expanded probe comes amid the ongoing donation theft case. The Uttar Pradesh government had constituted the SIT to investigate allegations of embezzlement of devotees’ offerings. The investigation has since widened to include a review of the trust’s financial systems, expenditure records and approval processes.

Eight people associated with the temple’s donation collection and counting process have been arrested so far, while the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of devotees’ contributions is continuing.

So far, investigators have recovered substantial amounts of cash from the accused, including Rs 20.39 lakh from Avinash Shukla, Rs 18.07 lakh from Karunesh Pandey, Rs 16.82 lakh from Anukalp Mishra, Rs 14.25 lakh from Lavkush Mishra, Rs 7.32 lakh from Ramashankar Mishra and Rs 1 lakh from Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu.

Police have also seized around 11 grams of gold, 375 grams of silver, and USD 1,121 during the investigation.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre...Read More

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