Ram Temple donation scam: 8 accused in Ayodhya court via VC, police eye custody soon
Synopsis
The Ram Temple donation scam in Ayodhya has grown into a sprawling financial probe — with 70 to 80 people under the scanner, six banks served notices, and mobile phones sent for forensic recovery of deleted data. A key detail buried in the investigation: SBI reportedly flagged irregularities and recommended removing donation-counting staff three months ago, but temple trust officials allegedly blocked the move.
Key Takeaways
Eight accused in the Ram Temple donation embezzlement case were produced before an Ayodhya court via video conferencing on 29 June .
Police will not seek custody immediately but plan to do so after preparing a detailed interrogation list.
Notices issued to six banks including SBI , Bank of Baroda , and Canara Bank for account and locker details.
Between 70 and 80 people are under the scanner; statements being recorded in phases.
Mobile phones of all accused sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to recover deleted data.
The Supreme Court on Monday declined urgent hearing on a PIL seeking a court-monitored probe and forensic audit.
Eight individuals arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya were produced before a local court via video conferencing on Monday, 29 June, as investigators said they would not seek custody immediately but plan to do so once a detailed interrogation framework is ready. The case centres on suspected theft from donation boxes at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, with the probe now widening to include bank officials and dozens of individuals under the scanner.
Bank Notices and Financial Trail
Police have issued notices to approximately six banks — including the State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda, and Canara Bank — seeking details of bank accounts and lockers belonging to the arrested accused, the Trust, and others linked to the case. Investigators visited the SBI branch at Naya Ghat, Ayodhya, where the Trust's primary account is maintained, and are examining the possible role of bank officials in the alleged irregularities. The branch manager is expected to be questioned and his statement recorded.
Two SBI employees — Ratnesh and Gagandeep — are also under investigation. Both supervised six outsourced workers responsible for counting donations and transporting cash to the bank. All six outsourced workers have already been arrested.
Scale of the Probe: 70–80 People Under Scanner
Officials confirmed that between 70 and 80 people are currently under the scanner, with notices being issued in phases and statements being recorded. Among those already questioned is Champat Rai, former General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Notices are also reportedly likely to be served to former trustee Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao as the investigation progresses.
Notably, according to reports, the SBI had recommended the removal of donation-counting staff nearly three months ago after suspecting irregularities — but some officials of the temple trust allegedly opposed their dismissal, a detail investigators are expected to probe further.
Digital Evidence and Recovered Assets
Mobile phones of all eight accused have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis. Investigators believe the accused deleted chats and messages, and efforts are underway to recover the erased data. On Sunday, police recovered jewellery and documents from the residence of one of the accused following searches at all eight arrested individuals' homes.
Supreme Court Declines Urgent PIL Hearing
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to grant an urgent hearing to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought a court-monitored probe and forensic audit into the handling of donations and offerings by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The PIL had cited alleged financial irregularities linked to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
How the Case Began
The FIR was registered on the complaint of a Trust member after a preliminary Special Investigation Team (SIT) report flagged multiple irregularities in the management of temple donations. Of the eight individuals arrested, all but Subhash and Tinnu were outsourced staff assigned to handle the temple's donation boxes. The investigation is ongoing, with further custodial action expected in the coming days.
Point of View
Only to be reportedly overruled by trust officials. If verified, that shifts the narrative from a theft by low-level outsourced workers to a possible institutional cover-up at a far higher level. The Supreme Court's refusal to fast-track the PIL means the investigation stays with state police for now — a setup that will face scrutiny given the political sensitivity of the Ram Temple. With 70 to 80 people under the scanner and bank records being subpoenaed, the probe's true scope is only beginning to surface.
NationPress
29 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ram Temple donation embezzlement case in Ayodhya?
It is a criminal case involving the alleged theft and embezzlement of donations collected at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, managed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. An FIR was registered after a preliminary SIT report flagged multiple financial irregularities, leading to the arrest of eight individuals — mostly outsourced donation-counting staff.
Who has been arrested in the Ram Temple donation scam?
Eight people have been arrested so far, most of them outsourced workers responsible for counting donations and transporting cash at the Ram Temple. Two SBI employees — Ratnesh and Gagandeep — who supervised these workers are also under investigation, though not yet arrested.
Why did the Supreme Court refuse to hear the PIL on the Ram Temple donation case?
The Supreme Court declined to grant an urgent hearing to a PIL seeking a court-monitored probe and forensic audit into the Trust's handling of donations and offerings. The court did not provide detailed reasons for refusing urgency at this stage.
How many people are under the scanner in the Ayodhya donation probe?
Officials have confirmed that between 70 and 80 people are currently under the scanner. Notices are being issued in phases and statements are being recorded, including that of former Trust General Secretary Champat Rai.
What role did SBI play in the Ram Temple donation case?
The SBI branch at Naya Ghat, Ayodhya, maintains the Trust's primary account. According to reports, the bank had recommended removing donation-counting staff nearly three months before the FIR was filed, after suspecting irregularities — but some temple trust officials allegedly opposed the move. Police are now examining the branch manager and two SBI employees as part of the probe.
