Ayodhya Ram Temple donation case: FIR filed against 8 accused, SIT probe underway
Synopsis
The first FIR in the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation controversy names eight accused — reportedly involved in counting offerings — under both the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The action follows a preliminary SIT report submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government, making this the most consequential accountability move since pilferage was detected at one of India's most politically and religiously significant shrines.
Key Takeaways
90/2026) was registered at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Police Station , Ayodhya , on 25 June 2026 .
Eight named accused — including Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, and Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu — are currently under interrogation.
Charges filed under multiple BNS sections and Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act .
The SIT , led by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant , submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government last Tuesday.
The case was triggered by a written complaint from Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Krishna Mohan after pilferage in offerings was detected.
Further arrests or charges are expected as the SIT investigation continues.
An FIR has been registered at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Police Station in Ayodhya in connection with alleged pilferage of offerings and donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra temple, following a complaint by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The case, registered as Crime No. 90/2026 on 25 June 2026, names eight accused and marks the first formal criminal action in the sensitive donations controversy.
Who Has Been Named
The FIR names Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Yadav, Manish Kumar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, and others, along with several unidentified persons. The accused were reportedly involved in counting offerings and donations at the temple and are currently being interrogated by authorities.
Charges and Legal Sections
The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — including Sections 305, 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61, and 3(5) — as well as Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The breadth of charges reflects the seriousness with which investigators are treating the alleged misappropriation.
How the SIT Report Triggered Action
The Uttar Pradesh government constituted a high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) after the Ram Temple Trust flagged incidents of pilferage in offerings. The SIT was led by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant and submitted its preliminary report to the state government last Tuesday. According to officials, the report made strong recommendations against the accused and condemned the irregularities, directly prompting the registration of the FIR.
Government's Position
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has stated that no individual found to have misappropriated donations at the temple will be shielded from prosecution. 'The SIT's impartial investigation will bring the culprits before justice and none of them will escape punishment,' Adityanath said, according to officials. This is not the first time the Yogi administration has invoked anti-corruption mechanisms in faith-related matters — the government has previously acted against irregularities at religious trusts and pilgrimage sites across the state.
What Comes Next
The SIT probe is ongoing, and further action is expected as investigators continue to examine the full scope of the alleged irregularities. The case is being closely watched given the national significance of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, which drew millions of devotees and substantial donations following its consecration. Officials have indicated that more arrests or charges could follow as the investigation progresses.
Point of View
Politics, and public donations — making transparency not just a legal obligation but a test of credibility. The SIT mechanism is sound on paper, but its independence will matter: the lead officer reports to the same state administration that is also claiming credit for the probe. Whether the investigation reaches all levels of the alleged network, or stops at the individuals named so far, will determine whether this is genuine accountability or managed optics.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation case FIR about?
The FIR (Crime No. 90/2026) relates to alleged pilferage and misappropriation of offerings and donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra temple in Ayodhya. It was registered on 25 June 2026 based on a complaint by Krishna Mohan, a Trust member, after a Special Investigation Team found irregularities.
Who are the accused named in the Ram Temple donation FIR?
Eight individuals are named: Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Yadav, Manish Kumar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, and others, along with unidentified persons. They were reportedly involved in counting offerings at the temple.
Under which laws has the Ram Temple donation case been registered?
The case has been filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — including Sections 305, 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61, and 3(5) — as well as Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
What is the SIT investigating in the Ayodhya temple donation case?
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, was constituted after the Ram Temple Trust flagged incidents of pilferage in offerings. The SIT submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government last Tuesday, with findings that directly led to the FIR.
What happens next in the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation case?
The SIT investigation is ongoing, and officials have indicated that more stringent action — including possible additional arrests or charges — is expected. The accused are currently under interrogation at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Police Station.
