Ram temple donation probe: UP SIT to file charge sheet in 2 days, 105 theft incidents found
Synopsis
CCTV footage analysed by the UP SIT has identified 105 separate theft incidents at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya — a striking detail buried inside a sealed status report submitted to the Supreme Court. With the charge sheet due within two days, what began as a broad allegation of financial irregularities is rapidly taking legal shape.
Key Takeaways
The UP SIT will file its charge sheet before 25 September 2026 , as informed to the Supreme Court on 21 September .
Analysis of CCTV footage identified 105 incidents of theft of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple , Ayodhya.
The reconstituted SIT is led by IG Kiran S. , with DIG Somen Verma and SSP Dr Gaurav Grover as members.
Valuable offerings are stored in State Bank of India (SBI) lockers; receipts are generated via software.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd) as its new CEO .
The Supreme Court had earlier directed the UP government to reconstitute the SIT and suggested associating a forensic auditor with the probe.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday, 21 September 2026, informed the Supreme Court that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged financial irregularities in donations and offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya has substantially completed its investigation and will file the charge sheet within the next two days. The disclosure came before a bench hearing petitions that seek court-monitored oversight of the probe.
Key Developments Before the Supreme Court
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was hearing a batch of petitions related to alleged financial mismanagement in the handling of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government, told the bench that a status report had been submitted in a sealed cover.
SG Mehta further informed the bench that the statutory deadline for filing the charge sheet falls on 25 September, and that the document would be filed before that date. The bench took the submission on record and permitted the concerned Sessions Judge to pass an appropriate order in accordance with law.
What the SIT's Status Report Revealed
The status report placed before the apex court detailed the investigative methodology employed by the SIT. According to the report, analysis of CCTV footage and other material revealed 105 distinct incidents of theft of donations at the temple — a finding that lends specificity and scale to what had previously been described in general terms as financial irregularities.
The status report also informed the court that receipts for valuable items received as offerings are generated through software, and that such valuables are stored in State Bank of India (SBI) lockers. These procedural details indicate that at least some accountability mechanisms are in place, though their adequacy is at the heart of the legal challenge.
Background: Reconstituted SIT and Supreme Court Directions
The latest developments follow a series of Supreme Court interventions. At an earlier hearing, the court had directed the Uttar Pradesh government to reconstitute the SIT and ensure a fair, speedy, and qualitative investigation. The reconstituted SIT is headed by Inspector General of Police Kiran S., with DIG Ayodhya Somen Verma and SSP Ayodhya Dr Gaurav Grover as members — all senior IPS officers.
The Supreme Court had also indicated that a forensic auditor should be associated with the investigation, given the nature of the allegations concerning the handling of trust funds. It is not yet confirmed whether a forensic auditor has been formally brought on board.
Trust's New CEO and Institutional Changes
In a parallel development, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd) as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with the officer having assumed full charge of operations. The appointment signals an attempt by the Trust to project administrative credibility during a period of heightened legal and public scrutiny.
What Happens Next
With the charge sheet expected before 25 September, the case will move to the competent court for further legal proceedings. The Supreme Court petitions seeking court-monitored oversight remain live, and the bench is likely to revisit the matter once the charge sheet is filed. The involvement of senior IPS officers in the SIT, combined with the court's emphasis on forensic audit, suggests the probe is entering a more consequential phase.
Point of View
Documented acts, strengthening the case for prosecution. Yet the Supreme Court's own suggestion of a forensic auditor remains unresolved, and the sealed-cover format of the status report limits public accountability for what is, at its core, a matter of public trust. The Trust's appointment of a retired Air Marshal as CEO reads as an institutional optics move; what the case actually needs is a credible, independent audit trail. With the charge sheet due in days, the real test begins in the courtroom, not the press conference.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ram temple donation row about?
The case involves allegations of financial irregularities in the handling of donations and offerings received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Petitions filed before the Supreme Court seek a court-monitored investigation into the matter.
When will the UP SIT file its charge sheet?
The UP government informed the Supreme Court on 21 September 2026 that the SIT would file the charge sheet within the next two days, before the statutory deadline of 25 September.
What did the CCTV analysis reveal?
According to the SIT's status report submitted to the Supreme Court, analysis of CCTV footage identified 105 separate incidents of theft of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya.
Who is heading the reconstituted SIT?
The reconstituted SIT is headed by Inspector General of Police Kiran S., with DIG Ayodhya Somen Verma and SSP Ayodhya Dr Gaurav Grover as members. The Supreme Court had directed the UP government to reconstitute the SIT with senior IPS officers to ensure a fair and speedy investigation.
Who is the new CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust?
The Trust has appointed Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd) as its new Chief Executive Officer. He has already assumed full charge of operations at the Trust.
