New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has demanded that an FIR be lodged in connection with the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft controversy, a day after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government.
VHP national president Alok Kumar in a statement called for the investigation to be expedited. Moreover, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliate has demanded that a fast-track court hear the matter on a day-to-day basis and strict action be taken against those found guilty.
The controversy surfaced on 7 June, triggered widespread concern which prompted the state government to constitute a three-member SIT to investigate and submit its findings within 15 days.
The SIT constituted by the Yogi Aadityanath-led UP government submitted its preliminary report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad Tuesday. The SIT, it is learnt, recommended structural reforms within the temple trust and appointment of a senior government officer as chief executive officer (CEO) of the temple administration. The UP government has not officially released any details.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has demanded that an FIR be lodged in connection with the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft controversy, a day after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government.
VHP national president Alok Kumar in a statement called for the investigation to be expedited. Moreover, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliate has demanded that a fast-track court hear the matter on a day-to-day basis and strict action be taken against those found guilty.
The controversy surfaced on 7 June, triggered widespread concern which prompted the state government to constitute a three-member SIT to investigate and submit its findings within 15 days.
The SIT constituted by the Yogi Aadityanath-led UP government submitted its preliminary report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad Tuesday. The SIT, it is learnt, recommended structural reforms within the temple trust and appointment of a senior government officer as chief executive officer (CEO) of the temple administration. The UP government has not officially released any details.
Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir
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.#Ayodhya #Rammandir@VHPDigital @epanchjanya @eOrganiser @ivskdelhi pic.twitter.com/41Skx5eJDv
— Alok Kumar Sr. Advocate (@AlokKumarLIVE) June 24, 2026
It also recommended a mandatory dress code for personnel involved in counting cash donations—uniforms without pockets to reduce the possibility of unauthorised handling of cash.
Earlier, VHP’s Central Advisory Board had discussed the allegations of irregularities in donations collected for the Ram temple at its two-day meeting in Haridwar.
At the meeting, a number of VHP functionaries came out in support of Champat Rai—who is vice-president of the VHP and general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust—saying accounts of other trusts that raised funds or collected gold in the name of the Ram Mandir should also be subjected to scrutiny.
The Ram temple donation theft controversy has emerged as one of the most significant challenges faced by the UP government since the temple’s inauguration in 2024.
The Opposition has questioned the ruling BJP government at a time when the UP assembly elections are not too far away.
The SIT had recorded statements of nearly 150 individuals associated with temple operations, including those involved in counting donations and handling cash collections.
Breaking his silence on the controversy, CM Yogi Adityanath had last week urged the people at large to “wait for another 15 days” and assured them that the guilty would not be spared.
It also recommended a mandatory dress code for personnel involved in counting cash donations—uniforms without pockets to reduce the possibility of unauthorised handling of cash.
Earlier, VHP’s Central Advisory Board had discussed the allegations of irregularities in donations collected for the Ram temple at its two-day meeting in Haridwar.
At the meeting, a number of VHP functionaries came out in support of Champat Rai—who is vice-president of the VHP and general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust—saying accounts of other trusts that raised funds or collected gold in the name of the Ram Mandir should also be subjected to scrutiny.
The Ram temple donation theft controversy has emerged as one of the most significant challenges faced by the UP government since the temple’s inauguration in 2024.
The Opposition has questioned the ruling BJP government at a time when the UP assembly elections are not too far away.
The SIT had recorded statements of nearly 150 individuals associated with temple operations, including those involved in counting donations and handling cash collections.
Breaking his silence on the controversy, CM Yogi Adityanath had last week urged the people at large to “wait for another 15 days” and assured them that the guilty would not be spared.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
Get to the bottom of this, please. And then devise a system where theft and embezzlement cannot take place.