India
oi-Ashish Rana
The alleged misappropriation of donations made by devotees at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has entered a new phase after Uttar Pradesh Police registered an FIR against eight people. The case marks the first formal police action following a preliminary inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which submitted its findings to the state government earlier this week. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust has denied any wrongdoing and reiterated its demand for an impartial investigation.
Uttar Pradesh Police have registered an FIR against eight people for alleged misappropriation of donations made to Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, following a preliminary inquiry by a Special Investigation Team. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust denies any wrongdoing.
FIR Registered After SIT Submits Preliminary Report
The FIR was lodged on Thursday based on a written complaint filed by Shri Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust. The complaint follows the submission of the SIT’s preliminary report, which was handed over by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, who also serves as an ex officio member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust.
While the contents of the report have not been made public, the registration of the FIR suggests that investigators found sufficient grounds at the preliminary stage to initiate criminal proceedings.
The investigation will now focus on examining documents, recording witness statements and tracing the movement of donation funds. The exact role of each of the eight accused will be determined during the course of the police probe.
Political Allegations Triggered The Investigation
The controversy surfaced earlier this month after Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged that reports indicated crores of rupees collected as donations for the Ram Temple had gone missing. He also urged the courts to take suo motu cognisance of the matter, bringing the issue into the political spotlight.
In response, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust rejected all allegations of financial irregularities. The trust maintained that its financial processes were transparent and welcomed an impartial investigation to establish the facts.
Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team to verify the claims and submit a factual report.
Probe Focuses On Donation Records And Financial Transactions
Given the scale of public contributions received for the Ram Temple from devotees across India and abroad, the case carries significant public and religious importance.
During the inquiry, the SIT questioned several individuals connected with the temple’s administration, including trust secretary Champat Rai. However, questioning during an investigation should not be interpreted as evidence of wrongdoing, as it forms part of the process of verifying records and administrative responsibilities.
Investigators are expected to scrutinise donation receipts, bank transactions, collection registers, approvals and financial records to determine whether any funds were misappropriated or improperly handled.
With the FIR now in place, police have the authority to summon individuals, collect documentary and digital evidence and examine whether criminal offences are supported by the available material.
Investigation Enters Formal Stage Amid Public Scrutiny
The registration of the FIR shifts the matter from a preliminary inquiry to a full-fledged criminal investigation. Authorities will now examine evidence before deciding whether charges can be substantiated.
For the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, maintaining the confidence of devotees remains a key priority. Its continued denial of irregularities and demand for a fair investigation underline its position that the truth should emerge through due legal process.
The Uttar Pradesh government also faces close public and political scrutiny as it oversees the investigation into one of the country’s most significant religious institutions.
It is important to note that the FIR does not establish guilt. It is the formal beginning of a criminal investigation based on a complaint and preliminary material. Any charges will have to be proven through evidence, while the accused retain all legal rights during the investigation.
The coming weeks are expected to bring greater clarity regarding the specific offences invoked, the identities and roles of the accused and whether additional individuals are questioned as investigators continue examining the trust’s financial records and the SIT’s findings.
