Ayodhya Donation Row: 8 Arrested After SIT Probe, Raut Seeks Silver Brick Inquiry
New Delhi, June 26, 2026: The Ayodhya Ram Temple donation row has widened after police arrested eight people named in an FIR linked to the alleged embezzlement of donations and valuables received at the temple. The action came after a Special Investigation Team submitted its preliminary findings on alleged irregularities in the handling of temple offerings.
Eight Arrested In Donation Case
The FIR was registered at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station following a complaint by Krishna Mohan, who is associated with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The arrested persons have been identified as Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Lavkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Manish Yadav, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Chandra Srivastava, and Karunesh Pandey.
They have been booked under charges including theft, criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Accused Linked To Cash Counting Process
According to officials, the accused were allegedly involved in the process of counting cash and valuables donated by devotees at the temple.
Investigators are now examining donation records, cash-counting procedures, storage details, and supervision mechanisms to trace the alleged diversion of funds.
Officials said further questioning is underway and the accused are expected to be produced before a magistrate as part of the legal process.
SIT Examines Temple Donation Records
The three-member Special Investigation Team was formed after allegations of financial irregularities surfaced earlier this month.
The SIT examined records related to donation collection, cash counting, storage, and supervision. It also questioned temple employees and officials connected to the donation management process.
The FIR does not name Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, Trust member Dr Anil Mishra, or temple construction in-charge Gopal Rao, though they were reportedly questioned during the preliminary inquiry.
Sanjay Raut Raises Missing Silver Brick Claim
Meanwhile, the controversy has also triggered political reactions. Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut questioned the alleged disappearance of a 4-kg silver brick donated by his party for the Ram Mandir.
Raut claimed that Uddhav Thackeray had donated Rs 1 crore along with the silver brick during the temple’s construction. He alleged that no receipt or update had been provided by the temple trust regarding the donation.
He demanded a detailed investigation into the matter and sought accountability from those responsible for handling the donation.
Ayodhya Priests Demand Strict Action
The case has also drawn strong reactions from religious leaders in Ayodhya. Several priests demanded strict punishment for anyone found guilty in the alleged embezzlement case.
Some religious leaders said the case should be investigated transparently and handled quickly to protect the faith of devotees who contributed offerings to the temple.
Probe To Move Into Criminal Process
Officials said the investigation will now move through the criminal prosecution process. Police are expected to continue questioning the accused, verify financial records, and examine whether more people were involved in the alleged misappropriation.
The case has become sensitive because the Ram Temple holds major religious and political importance. Authorities are under pressure to ensure a fair and transparent probe while avoiding premature conclusions before the legal process is complete.
