New Delhi: New revelations are emerging regarding the theft of offerings from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Taking action, the police have detained eight individuals so far and issued notices to others for questioning. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is set to submit its report on the matter soon. The SIT has raised serious questions regarding the role of the State Bank of India (SBI) in its investigation. According to the SIT report, the bank failed to properly discharge its responsibilities.
Ayodhya police are preparing to question SBI officials as well as external staff engaged by the bank. The investigation revealed that under the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) established for counting temple donations, SBI’s responsibility was not limited merely to depositing the cash after the count; the bank was also required to oversee the entire counting process.
Questions Raised About SBI’s Role
The SIT investigation uncovered negligence regarding the responsibilities assigned to SBI. Several security measures mandated by the SOPs were not implemented, and where some were implemented, they were not properly adhered to. This resulted in a weakening of transparency and accountability within the process.
Due to the failure to properly follow established rules, the ‘check and balance’ system designed to monitor donations was significantly compromised. According to the investigation team, the bank’s failure to ensure adherence to prescribed procedures is a major reason for the lapses discovered during the probe.
According to sources, the investigation will now be expanded. Ayodhya police will soon summon SBI officials associated with donation management for questioning. External personnel hired by the bank for cash counting will also be interrogated.
‘Bulldozer Action’ Against the Accused
Preparations are underway to take ‘bulldozer action’ against those accused of stealing offerings from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. A residence belonging to Anukalp Mishra, located in Kaushalpuri, is currently under scrutiny. According to media reports, Anukalp purchased this house a year ago from Diwakar Dwivedi, a Bhojpuri and Awadhi singer. The house is built on an area of approximately 800 square feet.
Resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra Accepted
Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resigned from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust amidst allegations regarding the theft of Ram Mandir offerings. The Trust subsequently accepted their resignations during a meeting. The next meeting of the Ram Mandir Trust is now expected to take place on July 22, 2026. By then, the SIT report will also be made public; the report is likely to implicate some prominent figures.
When the issue made headlines
Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav raised this matter. He questioned the seriousness of the government and the trust regarding the incident of theft of offerings. Subsequently, it became a national issue. Office-bearers associated with the Sangh and other Hindu organisations also made significant statements on the matter. Now, the government and the opposition are at loggerheads over this issue.
