Ram Mandir donation scam: AAP's Sanjay Singh files FIR demand against Trust
Synopsis
AAP's Sanjay Singh has escalated the Ram Mandir controversy by formally demanding an FIR against Trust officials — naming General Secretary Champat Rai — over alleged theft of devotee donations, inflated land purchases, and financial irregularities that he claims could total nearly ₹200 crore. Police have yet to act, but the complaint puts one of India's most sensitive religious projects under direct legal scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
AAP MP Sanjay Singh filed a written complaint on 18 June at Ram Janmabhoomi Police Station, Ayodhya , demanding an FIR against Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust officials.
Allegations include theft of silver and gold bricks donated by devotees and land purchases made at ₹16.5 crore against an estimated value of ₹2.92 crore .
Singh alleged total financial irregularities could amount to nearly ₹200 crore .
Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and other trustees have been specifically named in the complaint.
Police have not yet confirmed registration of a case; the Trust has previously maintained its accounts are transparent and regularly audited.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Thursday, 18 June formally submitted a written complaint to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Ram Janmabhoomi Police Station in Ayodhya, demanding registration of an FIR against officials of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The complaint alleges large-scale corruption, theft of devotee donations, and inflated land deals linked to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
What the Complaint Alleges
Singh's written complaint accuses Trust officials of stealing silver and gold bricks donated by devotees, and of executing questionable land transactions in which plots reportedly valued at around ₹2.92 crore were purchased by the Trust for as much as ₹16.5 crore — raising suspicions of profiteering and misuse of funds.
He further alleged that the total scale of financial irregularities could amount to nearly ₹200 crore, citing instances of recovered money from individuals reportedly linked to the temple trust. The complaint also references theft incidents near the temple premises.
Who Has Been Named
Singh specifically named Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Ayodhya temple Trust, and other trustees, accusing them of complicity in financial mismanagement and corruption. He argued that such acts 'undermine the sanctity of the Ram Mandir project' and betray the faith of millions of devotees who contributed their hard-earned money.
Trust's Position and Police Response
The temple trust has previously maintained that its financial systems are transparent and subject to regular audits. As of the time of reporting, police had not confirmed whether a case would be registered, though sources indicated the matter is under close watch given its politically and religiously sensitive nature.
Political and Public Impact
The move marks a significant escalation in the controversy surrounding the Trust's management of donations and land acquisitions. Singh's demand for an FIR is expected to intensify scrutiny of the Trust's functioning and reignite the broader debate over accountability in the administration of one of India's most high-profile religious infrastructure projects. Notably, this is not the first time questions have been raised about the Trust's land dealings — earlier reports had flagged similar concerns, though no formal legal action had been taken until now.
With the police yet to act and the Trust yet to respond to this specific complaint, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the allegations translate into a formal criminal investigation.
Point of View
But the underlying figures — a five-fold markup on land and a ₹200 crore irregularity claim — are specific enough to demand a factual response from the Trust, not just an audit assurance. What is notable is the absence of any independent forensic review of the Trust's finances since the temple's consecration; the Trust's self-reported transparency is not the same as verified accountability. For the BJP, this is an uncomfortable pressure point: the Ram Mandir is its most totemic political achievement, and any credible allegation of financial mismanagement cuts directly at its core narrative. The real test is whether the Uttar Pradesh police — operating in a BJP-governed state — will treat this complaint on its legal merits or allow it to languish.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Sanjay Singh alleged against the Ram Mandir Trust?
AAP MP Sanjay Singh has alleged large-scale corruption involving theft of gold and silver bricks donated by devotees, inflated land purchases, and financial irregularities he claims could total nearly ₹200 crore. He submitted a written complaint on 18 June to the Ram Janmabhoomi Police Station in Ayodhya demanding an FIR.
Who has been named in Sanjay Singh's complaint?
Singh specifically named Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, along with other trustees, accusing them of complicity in financial mismanagement and corruption.
What is the alleged land deal irregularity?
According to Singh's complaint, the Trust purchased certain land parcels valued at approximately ₹2.92 crore for as much as ₹16.5 crore, raising suspicions of profiteering and misuse of donated funds.
Has the Ram Mandir Trust responded to these allegations?
The Trust has previously stated that its financial systems are transparent and subject to regular audits. It had not issued a specific response to Singh's 18 June complaint at the time of reporting.
Will police register an FIR?
As of 18 June, police had not confirmed whether a case would be registered. Sources indicated the matter is under close watch given its sensitive religious and political nature.
