The Uttar Pradesh government has reconstituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged theft of donations collected for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, acting on a recent Supreme Court order. The SIT will be headed by Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Law and Order, and includes senior officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Economic Offences Wing.
Background of the Case
The controversy emerged after reports surfaced that a significant portion of donations collected through various channels for the Ram Temple construction had been misappropriated. The temple trust had claimed that over ₹100 crore was collected, but discrepancies in accounts led to suspicions of embezzlement. The Supreme Court, while hearing a public interest litigation, directed the state government to form a fresh investigation team to ensure a fair probe.
Composition of the SIT
The newly constituted SIT comprises three senior IPS officers: ADG (Law and Order) as chairman, IG (CID) as member, and DIG (Economic Offences) as member-secretary. The team has been given three months to complete the investigation and submit a detailed report. Additional officers from the state police and forensic experts may be co-opted as needed.
Supreme Court's Directive
In its order dated July 20, 2026, the Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction with the earlier investigation conducted by the state police, citing lack of progress and transparency. The court emphasized the need for a credible probe, especially given the religious significance of the funds. “The donations are meant for a sacred cause, and any diversion of such funds is a serious offense,” the bench observed.
Reactions and Political Implications
The opposition has welcomed the Supreme Court’s intervention, accusing the state government of initially trying to downplay the scandal. “The reconstitution of the SIT is a step in the right direction, but the government must ensure that the guilty are punished irrespective of their affiliations,” said a spokesperson for the Samajwadi Party. Meanwhile, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party maintained that the government is committed to a fair investigation, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stating, “The SIT will leave no stone unturned to recover every penny of the donated money.”
Next Steps
The SIT will begin by scrutinizing bank records, collection receipts, and statements from temple officials. It will also examine the role of intermediaries and online payment platforms involved in the donation drive. The state government has assured full cooperation with the SIT, and a high-level monitoring committee will oversee the progress. The final report is expected by October 2026.
