The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the Ram temple in Ayodhya, faces allegations of embezzling donations worth tens of millions of rupees. The temple, inaugurated in January 2024, is one of India's most visited pilgrimage sites.
Over 70 million rupees ($739,550) are alleged to have gone missing.
Key Details
- Arrests Made: Uttar Pradesh Police have named eight people in a report alleging embezzlement. All are in custody and being questioned.
- Alleged Amount: A former city legislator alleged that more than 70 million rupees ($739,550) have gone missing.
- Trust Income: The temple trust recorded an annual income of 3.27 billion rupees ($35 million) in financial year 2024-25.
Background
The temple was built on the site of a 16th-century mosque torn down by Hindu mobs in 1992, which led to riots causing nearly 2,000 deaths. Since its inauguration, the temple has attracted an estimated 50 million visitors annually.
Statements
Senior police officer Gaurav Grover said the eight suspects are expected to be produced before a magistrate within a day or two.
Champat Rai, general secretary of the temple trust, denied wrongdoing, stating that "the counting process is audited by trustees, workers, and State Bank of India employees, and no discrepancy has been noted."