The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has issued a formal clarification confirming that 200 kg of silver donated by members of the Sindhi community on 26 January 2021 is fully accounted for in its records, responding to concerns raised by the Vishwa Sindhi Seva Sangam over the whereabouts of the contribution. The Trust stated that all 200 silver bricks are properly logged in its register of precious metals.

What the Trust Said About the Silver

According to the Trust, a decision was taken to melt the donated silver — along with other silver received — and recast it into 20 kg bars of 99.99% purity. The Trust said the process followed due procedure, and photographs documenting the weighing and manufacturing stages have been shared as part of its official response.

The newly manufactured silver bars are currently stored in a locker at the State Bank of India branch in Ayodhya and will be utilised for the Trust's activities as and when required.

Background: What the Sindhi Organisation Sought

The clarification follows a letter sent by the Vishwa Sindhi Seva Sangam to the Trust, seeking details of the 200 kg silver donated on 26 January 2021. The organisation had stated that donors had neither received official receipts for their contribution nor been informed about how or where the silver had been utilised — a gap that prompted the formal inquiry.

In response, the Trust has requested the Vishwa Sindhi Seva Sangam to furnish the names, addresses, mobile numbers, PAN details, and email addresses of all 200 donors so that individual official receipts can be issued to each contributor.

Wider Context: Donation Theft Investigation

This clarification comes at a time when the Trust is navigating a separate and more serious controversy — an ongoing investigation into the alleged theft of cash donations collected at the Ram Temple. This week, police in Ayodhya approached a local court seeking custodial remand of three accused arrested in connection with the alleged theft, stating that interrogation was necessary to examine bank accounts and trace the financial trail.

According to police, cash amounting to ₹14.25 lakh was recovered from accused Lavkush Mishra, ₹16.82 lakh from Anukalp Mishra, and ₹18.07 lakh from Karunesh Pandey.

SIT Report Flags Procedural Gaps

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government at the Trust's own request, has submitted its preliminary report into the alleged financial irregularities. The report highlighted several procedural and supervisory lapses despite an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with the State Bank of India.

Specifically, the SIT pointed to the absence of proper frisking, biometric attendance, hundi-wise counting, enforcement of dress codes, and restrictions on carrying personal belongings — gaps that, investigators suggest, created conditions for the alleged theft.

With the SIT report now on record and receipts for the Sindhi community's silver donation yet to be formally issued, scrutiny of the Trust's financial management is likely to intensify in the weeks ahead.