The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement in the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has submitted its interim report, recommending the registration of an FIR against more than 20 individuals. The 150-page report was presented to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad on Monday.
Key Findings of the Interim Report
The three-member SIT, constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government, has identified financial irregularities and procedural lapses in the temple construction project. According to sources, the report details specific instances of fund misappropriation and recommends legal action against contractors, officials, and intermediaries involved.
The SIT has recommended that the FIR be filed under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including cheating, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy. The team has also suggested freezing certain assets of the accused pending further investigation.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The SIT is expected to submit its final report within a week, after which the state government will decide on the next course of action. Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Prasad stated, “The interim report is comprehensive and has been reviewed. The SIT has been directed to expedite the final report.”
The temple trust, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, has welcomed the investigation, asserting its commitment to transparency. A trust spokesperson said, “We have cooperated fully with the SIT and will continue to do so. Any wrongdoing must be dealt with strictly.”
Background of the Case
The embezzlement allegations surfaced earlier this year, prompting the Uttar Pradesh government to form the SIT in May 2026. The team was tasked with auditing all financial transactions related to the temple construction, which began in 2020 and is nearing completion.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a significant portion of the funds, donated by millions of devotees, may have been diverted through fake invoices and inflated contracts. The SIT’s interim report confirms these suspicions, citing evidence from bank records and witness testimonies.
Political Reactions
The opposition has seized on the report, demanding a thorough probe and accountability. Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said, “This is a serious betrayal of public trust. The state government must ensure that all guilty parties are punished.”
Meanwhile, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has maintained that the investigation is impartial and will be concluded swiftly. State BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh stated, “We have full faith in the judicial process. No one will be spared if found guilty.”
