Ayodhya: Allegations of large-scale irregularities involving donations and offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have sparked a major political and religious controversy, with opposition leaders, saints, and even some BJP leaders demanding an independent investigation into claims that between ₹5 crore and ₹7.5 crore may have been stolen from temple offerings.
The controversy intensified after Mahipal Singh, who claims to have served as the former accounts in-charge of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, alleged that theft of offerings was a recurring issue and that he was removed from his position after raising concerns with temple authorities. His claims have added a new dimension to a debate that has already drawn reactions from political parties, religious leaders, and members of the Ram Temple Trust.
According to Mahipal Singh, instances of theft were not isolated incidents. He alleged that irregularities in the handling of temple donations occurred regularly and that he personally identified cases of theft during his tenure. Singh claimed that he formally reported the matter to senior officials of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, including General Secretary Champat Rai and another trust member.
Speaking about the aftermath of his complaint, Singh alleged that he was removed from his position the very next day. He further claimed that approximately eight months of CCTV footage from the temple premises was deleted after concerns were raised. Singh also accused temple authorities of maintaining a non-transparent administrative structure and alleged that individuals who questioned the functioning of the system faced removal.
Singh made several additional allegations regarding the management of donations. He claimed that when he was working at the temple, there was no comprehensive record of gold and silver ornaments, utensils, and other valuable items donated by devotees. According to him, only a limited number of individuals allegedly knew where these valuables were stored. He also questioned why his signature was not required on bank vouchers related to temple transactions despite his role in overseeing accounts.
The allegations have led to demands for a thorough investigation from multiple quarters.
Among the most vocal critics has been Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda, who stated that concerns regarding the handling of temple donations have existed for years. Addressing reporters in Etah, the Shankaracharya alleged that questions surrounding financial transparency at the Ram Temple had been raised since the early stages of the temple movement.
He further claimed that reports had emerged regarding the recovery of funds and the detention of individuals linked to the controversy, though no official confirmation of such developments has been made public. The Shankaracharya also asserted that several saints in Ayodhya had expressed concerns about recurring thefts and called for a transparent inquiry into the allegations.
Adding to the growing pressure, Hanuman Garhi Peethadheeshwar Mahant Parshuram Das Maharaj said that the allegations should be investigated impartially. He remarked that if the accusations are ultimately proven true, strict punishment should be imposed on those responsible. According to him, a transparent investigation would help remove confusion among devotees and establish the facts of the matter.
At the same time, another prominent religious figure, Mahant Kamal Nayan Das, urged caution and emphasized the need for an unbiased inquiry. He stated that if wrongdoing had occurred, it should certainly be investigated, but he also questioned the motivations of some individuals involved in the public debate. He maintained that records of donations and offerings have traditionally been maintained by temple authorities and stressed the importance of allowing facts to emerge through proper procedures.
The controversy first gained political momentum after Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh minister Pawan Pandey alleged that between ₹5 crore and ₹7.5 crore had been stolen from the offerings received at the Ram Temple. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav subsequently raised a series of questions regarding the management of donations and demanded greater transparency.
Akhilesh questioned who was responsible for the alleged irregularities, who was protecting those involved, and why CCTV footage had not been made public if there was nothing to hide. He also raised concerns about the reported involvement of private entities in the counting of donations and sought answers regarding the systems used to manage the large volume of contributions received by the temple.
The Uttar Pradesh government and BJP leaders, however, strongly rejected the allegations. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak accused Akhilesh Yadav of spreading misinformation and attempting to politicize a matter linked to the faith of millions of devotees. Pathak stated that the opposition was trying to create controversy around the Ram Temple despite the absence of verified evidence supporting the allegations.
Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam also dismissed the accusations, arguing that parties that had historically opposed the Ram Temple movement could not be trusted on issues related to the temple.
Meanwhile, former BJP MP and influential Ram Temple movement figure Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh made a cryptic statement, saying that he would speak about the issue when the appropriate time came. His comments further fueled speculation regarding internal disagreements and concerns surrounding the controversy.
In a significant development, BJP leader Dr. Rajneesh Singh wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a high-level investigation into the allegations. In his letter, he emphasized that the Ram Temple is a symbol of faith for millions of people and that complete transparency is essential in matters related to donations, offerings, and temple administration.
Dr. Singh called for an inquiry by independent agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He also demanded a special audit of the entire process of collecting, counting, transporting, and depositing donations. Furthermore, he urged authorities to make the findings of any investigation public to preserve public confidence in the institution.
According to reports, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has sought a report from the Ram Temple Trust regarding the allegations. Sources indicate that discussions related to donations, accounting procedures, and the management of offerings were also held during a recent meeting involving members of the trust and officials associated with the temple project.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has maintained that the allegations remain unproven. General Secretary Champat Rai has previously stated that no evidence of theft or financial irregularities has been discovered so far.
Temple authorities have also pointed to the existing system for handling donations. According to the established procedure, offerings are counted by bank employees in the presence of trust representatives under CCTV surveillance. The amounts are recorded in registers, secured in lockers within the temple complex, and deposited in bank accounts, primarily maintained with the State Bank of India in Ayodhya. Auditing processes are reportedly conducted under the supervision of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
The Ram Temple receives more than ₹1 crore in donations daily and has emerged as one of the wealthiest religious institutions in the country. Trust records presented during a meeting in December 2025 indicated that the temple had received approximately ₹4,575 crore in donations since the trust’s formation in 2020. Of this amount, around ₹2,475 crore had been spent on temple construction, land acquisition, expansion projects, and related activities.
