Dr. Vaishnavi Jagdamba Nandgiri, Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara and Juna Akhara, on Saturday, 27 June demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the alleged misappropriation of devotees' donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, stating that no one found guilty should escape accountability. Her remarks came as the controversy over the alleged multi-crore embezzlement of temple offerings deepened, with senior trust officials stepping down and eight accused being remanded to judicial custody.

What Nandgiri Said

'Whether it is the Chief Minister, the Prime Minister, or the President, whoever intervenes in this matter must ensure that the investigation is conducted fairly and without discrimination,' Dr. Nandgiri said. She added that only an impartial probe can surface the truth, and that the person responsible — whoever they may be — must be identified and punished.

Calling the episode deeply unfortunate, Nandgiri underscored the weight of what is at stake: 'Everyone knows the years of struggle, hard work, and dedication that went into the construction of the Shri Ram Mandir. After a long wait, Lord Ram was finally consecrated at His rightful place. The temple is one of the greatest centres of faith for crores of devotees.'

She was careful to distinguish between administrative jurisdiction and civic duty: 'This is a matter for the administration, and it will act as it deems appropriate. We cannot interfere in its functioning. However, as a citizen of India, the Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara and Juna Akhara, and a member of the sant community, I firmly believe that an impartial investigation must be conducted.'

Key Developments in the Case

The controversy escalated sharply on Friday, 26 June, when Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trust member Anil Mishra resigned from their posts. According to sources, the resignations were offered on moral grounds, days after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted preliminary findings that reportedly highlighted serious lapses in the management of donations and cash offerings at the temple.

Their departure is being viewed as the first significant accountability measure since the controversy triggered widespread public outrage and demands for action against those responsible for overseeing the temple's daily administration.

The Eight Accused

An FIR was registered against eight individuals — including temple attendants, cash-counting staff, and a retired bank employee — accused of working in collusion to divert cash and valuables donated by devotees. All eight were arrested and produced before a magistrate on Friday, who remanded them to three-day judicial custody until 29 June.

The accused have been identified as Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, and retired bank employee Subhash Srivastava. Investigators believe each played a specific role in the alleged embezzlement.

What Investigators Suspect

Police reportedly suspect the alleged embezzlement was part of an organised racket that siphoned off temple funds over several years. Investigators have also turned their focus to possible involvement of banking officials. Custodial remand is expected to be sought for detailed interrogation to trace the flow of funds and identify additional beneficiaries, according to sources.

With the SIT probe ongoing and pressure mounting for accountability, the case is likely to remain in focus as investigators work to establish the full chain of alleged wrongdoing at one of India's most prominent religious sites.