Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft: Saints back VHP chief, trust SIT probe
Synopsis
As the SIT probe into Ayodhya's Ram Temple donation theft deepens, prominent saints have rallied behind VHP chief Alok Kumar's move to distance the organisation from the Ram Mandir Trust — while warning that even the masterminds behind the theft will face demolition of properties built on stolen wealth. The case is testing the governance credibility of India's most high-profile religious institution.
Key Takeaways
The SIT probe into the Ram Temple donation theft case in Ayodhya is expanding, with fresh suspects being questioned.
VHP international president Alok Kumar publicly distanced the organisation from the Ram Mandir Trust's recent decisions on 30 June .
Prominent saints including Mahant Himanshu Das , Mahamandaleshwar Vishnu Das Maharaj , and Mahant Sitaram Das backed Kumar's remarks and expressed full faith in the SIT.
The Trust itself reportedly pushed for the SIT's formation; money has already been recovered from accused individuals.
Mahant Sitaram Das warned that bulldozers will raze properties acquired using stolen donation funds.
As the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the donation theft case at Ayodhya's Ram Temple widens — with fresh suspects being questioned for alleged involvement — saints and seers across Ayodhya have reaffirmed their faith in the investigation, asserting that every guilty party, however powerful, will face the strictest punishment. The developments come amid growing scrutiny of the Ram Mandir Trust's internal oversight mechanisms.
VHP Chief's Remarks Draw Broad Support
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international president Alok Kumar, speaking to reporters on 30 June, sought to formally distance the Hindutva organisation from the Ram Mandir Trust's recent decisions. Kumar stated that the VHP bears no responsibility for those decisions, arguing that the outfit's role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement had concluded once the temple was constructed at Ram Lalla's birthplace. His remarks were swiftly endorsed by several prominent priests and religious leaders in Ayodhya.
What the Saints and Seers Said
Mahant Himanshu Das affirmed Kumar's position, saying: 'What he said is absolutely true. The Trust is doing its work and has issued instructions for all investigations to be carried out, and the investigations are indeed underway. Whoever is found guilty, regardless of who they are, will receive the strictest possible punishment.'
Mahamandaleshwar Vishnu Das Maharaj echoed the sentiment, stating: 'Alok Kumar has spoken the truth. Devotees of Lord Ram have faith in the investigation, and the truth is coming out. New revelations are continuously emerging regarding the Ram Temple. Whoever has committed theft, and even the mastermind behind the thieves, will not be spared.'
Mahant Sitaram Das of Saket Bhavan Temple called Kumar's statement 'highly commendable', adding that the Trust is actively cooperating with the SIT. 'Cases have been registered against the accused, and money has also been recovered from them,' he said, warning: 'Bulldozers are coming to raze properties acquired with stolen wealth.'
Trust's Role in Triggering the Probe
Notably, the saints acknowledged a grave lapse in the Trust's oversight but pointed out that it was at the Trust's own insistence that the SIT was constituted — a detail that religious leaders are using to defend the institution's overall credibility. According to reports, the SIT has already made recoveries and registered cases against multiple accused individuals, with the probe continuing to expand in scope.
What Happens Next
The SIT investigation is ongoing, and religious leaders have signalled that no individual — regardless of stature — will be shielded from accountability. The warning of property demolitions linked to stolen wealth suggests authorities may pursue asset recovery alongside criminal proceedings. The case has drawn national attention to the governance and financial oversight structures of one of India's most prominent religious trusts.
Point of View
But it also raises an uncomfortable question: how did systematic donation theft go undetected long enough to require a criminal investigation? The governance gap at one of India's wealthiest and most symbolically charged religious trusts deserves scrutiny beyond the criminal proceedings. Whether the SIT findings will prompt structural reforms in temple trust oversight — or remain a one-off accountability exercise — is the real test.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ram Temple donation theft case in Ayodhya?
The case involves alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, prompting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. Multiple suspects have been questioned and money has reportedly been recovered from some accused individuals.
Why did VHP chief Alok Kumar distance the VHP from the Ram Mandir Trust?
Alok Kumar stated on 30 June that the VHP bears no responsibility for the Ram Mandir Trust's recent decisions, arguing that the organisation's role concluded after the temple was constructed at Ram Lalla's birthplace. His remarks were widely endorsed by Ayodhya's saints and seers.
What have the saints and seers of Ayodhya said about the SIT probe?
Prominent religious figures including Mahant Himanshu Das, Mahamandaleshwar Vishnu Das Maharaj, and Mahant Sitaram Das have all expressed full faith in the SIT investigation, vowing that no guilty party — including masterminds — will be spared punishment.
Who initiated the SIT probe into the Ram Temple donation theft?
According to saints and religious leaders, it was the Ram Mandir Trust itself that insisted on the formation of the SIT, a point they cite to defend the Trust's overall credibility despite acknowledging a serious lapse in oversight.
What action has been taken so far in the donation theft case?
Cases have been registered against the accused, and money has been recovered from some of them, according to Mahant Sitaram Das of Saket Bhavan Temple. Authorities have also reportedly signalled that properties acquired with stolen funds may be demolished.
