Pinarayi Vijayan demands SC-monitored probe into Ram Temple donation fraud
Synopsis
With eight people already arrested by an SIT, Kerala's Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan has escalated the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation controversy by demanding Supreme Court-monitored oversight — and directly calling out Prime Minister Modi, who presided over the consecration, to respond. The demand turns a criminal case into a full-blown governance crisis.
Key Takeaways
Pinarayi Vijayan , Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly , on 28 June demanded a Supreme Court -monitored probe into alleged financial fraud in Ayodhya Ram Temple donations.
Vijayan described the reported misconduct as 'extremely serious' and alleged organised financial fraud under the cover of public religious devotion.
He called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond, noting Modi's prominent role in the temple's consecration ceremony.
The Ram Temple Trust was constituted by the Union government through a parliamentary notification, making public accountability imperative, Vijayan argued.
An SIT is already probing the case; eight people have been arrested so far.
Kerala Assembly Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday, 28 June demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into alleged large-scale financial irregularities in donations collected from devotees for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former Chief Minister described the reports as raising deeply disturbing questions about the misuse of public faith and religious sentiment.
What Vijayan Alleged
In a post on his official Facebook page, Vijayan called the reported financial misconduct 'extremely serious' and alleged that those who had leveraged public devotion for political gains had simultaneously engaged in organised financial fraud under its cover. He claimed the trustees of the Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust had close ties with organisations affiliated to the Sangh Parivar, and argued they were duty-bound to account for how money collected from millions of devotees had been utilised.
Vijayan further asserted that the public had an unambiguous right to know where the donated funds had gone, and called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi — who played a prominent role in the temple's consecration ceremony — to respond to the allegations directly.
Why the Trust Is Under Scrutiny
The Ram Temple Trust was constituted by the Union government through an official parliamentary notification, a fact Vijayan cited to argue that accountability and transparency were not optional but legally and morally imperative. He contended that the controversy surrounding the temple funds reflected what he described as the 'true character' of Sangh Parivar politics, alleging that public faith had been exploited for both political and financial purposes.
Notably, the controversy is not merely political — an SIT is already probing the case, and eight people have so far been arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement.
The Call for Judicial Oversight
Vijayan urged the Central government to order a high-level inquiry placed under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court. He maintained that only an independent, judicially monitored investigation could establish the truth, fix accountability, and restore the confidence of the millions of devotees who contributed to the temple project.
His remarks have added a sharp political dimension to the ongoing controversy over the management of donations raised for the Ayodhya Ram Temple construction, widening the debate beyond legal proceedings into the domain of governance and public trust.
What Happens Next
With an SIT already in the field and eight arrests made, pressure is mounting on both the Ram Temple Trust and the Centre to provide a detailed public account of the donations received and disbursed. Whether the Supreme Court takes cognisance of any petition seeking judicial oversight remains to be seen, but Vijayan's demand is likely to intensify calls from opposition quarters for greater transparency in the trust's financial management.
Point of View
Which both constituted the trust and celebrated the consecration. The SIT's eight arrests give the allegation legal weight that mere political rhetoric cannot claim. What mainstream coverage underplays is the structural problem: a trust created by parliamentary notification with no mandatory public audit framework. The real accountability gap is institutional, not just political, and no amount of opposition pressure resolves it without a formal disclosure mechanism for religious trusts of this scale.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation embezzlement case?
The case involves allegations of large-scale financial irregularities in donations collected from devotees for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. An SIT is probing the matter and has so far arrested eight people in connection with the alleged fraud.
What has Pinarayi Vijayan demanded?
Vijayan has demanded a high-level inquiry into the alleged financial misconduct, placed under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court. He argues that only judicially monitored oversight can establish the truth and restore devotee confidence.
Why did Vijayan call on PM Modi to respond?
Vijayan noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a prominent role in the Ram Temple consecration ceremony, making him a key public figure associated with the project. He argued that Modi is therefore obligated to address the allegations publicly.
Who constituted the Ram Temple Trust and why does it matter?
The Ram Temple Trust was constituted by the Union government through an official parliamentary notification. Vijayan argues this makes the Central government directly responsible for ensuring accountability and transparency in the trust's financial management.
What is the current status of the SIT investigation?
An SIT is actively probing the alleged financial irregularities in Ram Temple donations. As of 28 June, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case.
