Ram Temple donation row: SIT formed in under 24 hours, says Nripendra Misra
Synopsis
The UP government formed an SIT in under 24 hours to probe alleged donation irregularities at the Ayodhya Ram Temple — a pace Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Misra publicly commended. With a preliminary report due in seven days and a final one in 15, the probe's credibility will be tested quickly.
Key Takeaways
Nripendra Misra , Chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee , praised the UP government for forming an SIT within 24 hours of the Trust's request on 14 June .
The SIT includes a Divisional Commissioner , an IG-rank officer with reported CBI experience, and a Special Secretary (Finance) .
A preliminary report is due in 7 days ; the final report is expected within 15 days .
The Ram Temple Trust will deliberate on findings and decide next steps after the report is submitted.
The 4 km boundary wall around the temple complex is targeted for completion by August 2026 , with work starting simultaneously at 6 locations .
A planning meeting for the Ram Katha Sangrahalay was scheduled for 14 June , with gallery scripts nearly finalised.
Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Misra on Sunday, 14 June praised the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within less than 24 hours to probe alleged irregularities in monetary offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The swift action followed a formal request by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for a comprehensive probe into the donation controversy.
SIT Composition and Timeline
Addressing reporters, Misra said: 'The most important thing that should be appreciated is that the state government acted within less than 24 hours and constituted an SIT.' He noted that the team comprises senior officers, including a Divisional Commissioner, a senior police officer of the rank of Inspector General (IG) with reported long experience in the CBI, and a Special Secretary in the Department of Finance.
Misra underscored the urgency of the timeline set for the probe: a preliminary report in seven days and a final report within 15 days. 'When the state government is taking decisions at this pace...they have taken 15 days, not one or three months,' he said.
Trust to Act on SIT Findings
Misra was measured on the question of outcomes, stating that the investigation must be allowed to run its course before any conclusions are drawn. 'We should wait for the findings of the investigation, about whether there are shortcomings or not... accordingly, a decision will be taken on how to overcome those,' he said. He confirmed that the Ram Temple Trust would deliberate on the SIT's final report and take appropriate steps thereafter.
Boundary Wall and Construction Update
Separately, Misra provided an update on the ongoing construction work at the temple complex. He said a senior officer from Engineers India Ltd. — the engineering consultancy engaged by the Centre to oversee the project — had visited the site and conducted a joint inspection. The target is to complete the 4 km-long boundary wall by the end of August 2026.
To meet the deadline, construction will be launched simultaneously at six different locations along the wall's perimeter. A separate agency will be responsible for building 25 watchtowers as part of the security infrastructure.
Ram Katha Sangrahalay Progress
Misra also touched on the Ram Katha Sangrahalay (Ram Narrative Museum), saying a planning meeting was scheduled for the same day. He indicated that the script covering the content of each gallery is nearly finalised, and the upcoming meeting would focus on the video component based on that script. The museum is being developed as a cultural and heritage attraction within the broader temple complex.
With the SIT now operational and construction timelines locked in, attention will turn to whether the probe delivers credible findings within the promised 15-day window — and how the Trust responds publicly to its conclusions.
Point of View
While senior, is drawn entirely from state machinery, raising questions about arm's-length independence from the very government that appointed it. A 15-day final report on financial irregularities at a trust managing donations from millions of pilgrims is ambitious; if the findings are thin or exculpatory, the credibility of the process — not just the outcome — will face scrutiny.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ram Temple donation row about?
The controversy centres on alleged irregularities in monetary offerings collected at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust formally requested an SIT probe into the matter, prompting the UP government to act.
Who is on the SIT probing the Ram Temple donation case?
The SIT comprises a Divisional Commissioner, an Inspector General-rank police officer reportedly with CBI experience, and a Special Secretary from the Department of Finance — all senior state government officials.
When will the SIT submit its report?
According to Nripendra Misra, the SIT is expected to submit a preliminary report within seven days and a final report within 15 days of its constitution.
What did Nripendra Misra say about the investigation?
Misra said the state government deserved credit for acting within 24 hours. He also urged patience, stating that the Trust would wait for the SIT's findings before deciding on any corrective steps.
What is the latest update on Ram Temple construction?
Engineers India Ltd. is overseeing the 4 km boundary wall, targeted for completion by August 2026, with work starting at six simultaneous locations. A separate agency will build 25 watchtowers, and the Ram Katha Sangrahalay's gallery scripts are nearly finalised.
