SIT Restricts Ram Temple Trust Officials From Leaving Ayodhya

AYODHYA — The state-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities and embezzlement of funds at the Ram Temple has instructed all trust office-bearers and shrine functionaries not to leave the city. The formal directive, disclosed on June 22, 2026, was issued just before the three-member panel departed for Lucknow to present its preliminary findings to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The travel restrictions mark a major escalation in the high-profile inquiry into the finances of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The probe is centered on discrepancies found in the documentation, valuation, and accounting of valuable offerings including gold, silver, and diamonds donated by millions of devotees.

Discrepancies in Precious Offerings and Land Procurement

The investigation focuses heavily on a massive discrepancy in the inventory systems tracking physical offerings. Sources associated with the panel state that multiple trust office-bearers failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the storage, logging, and accounting of precious stones and jewelry received over recent months.

The audit has also expanded to evaluate multi-phase land acquisitions executed by the temple trust, following long-standing allegations from opposition political parties that parcels of real estate were purchased at rates multiple times higher than verified market values.

The Maha Kumbh Influx and Donation Counting Systems

A key focus of the SIT's accounting audit is the Maha Kumbh Mela window of January and February 2025. During those two months, footfall at the temple complex surged to nearly 10 lakh devotees daily.

According to internal repository logs, donation boxes were filling to capacity within hours. The SIT is auditing whether standard security and collection procedures were strictly maintained by the trust's shifts during this high-volume period, or if significant pilferage occurred before the cash was deposited into state banking nodes.

Public Confidence and Impact on Daily Collections

While the structural controversy has intensified political arguments across the state, it has had a measurable impact on active temple collections. Although daily devotee footfall remains high, public confidence in the donation boxes has dropped sharply since news of the probe broke.

The dramatic decline in cash box intake emphasizes the practical implications of public trust. Devotees are continuing to arrive for religious darshan, but they are choosing to hold back direct financial contributions until the state government establishes clear administrative transparency.

Official Sources Section

The details regarding the travel restrictions, panel composition, and investigative tracking correspond directly to official briefings provided by Press Trust of India (PTI) and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office. The SIT was formally constituted on June 13, following an official request from the temple trust itself to clear the air surrounding the embezzlement allegations. The three-member panel comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S, and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan.

Quote Section

Addressing the speed of the ongoing financial inquiry, senior administrative advisors emphasized the government's stance on maintaining transparency:

"According to officials familiar with the high-level meeting in Lucknow, the digital preservation of daily testimony ensures a modern, tamper-proof record of the probe, and no administrative laxity will be permitted given the deep spiritual sentiments attached to the institution."

Why It Matters

For millions of spiritual devotees and institutional donors, the transparency of the Ram Temple's administrative trust is a matter of profound faith and accountability. If irregularities are proven, it will likely lead to structural changes in how large-scale religious endowments are managed across India. Restoring strict accounting safeguards is essential to protecting public donations and ensuring that funds are used exclusively for social and religious welfare activities.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Travel Freeze: The three-member SIT has ordered all trust officials and temple functionaries to stay in Ayodhya for ongoing questioning.

• Discrepancy Audit: Investigators have flagged clear gaps in the documentation and storage of gold, silver, and diamonds received as offerings.

• Collection Drop: Daily cash box donations have fallen from an average of ₹10 lakh to under ₹1 lakh as the probe affects donor confidence.

• Expanded Scope: The inquiry has broadened beyond missing cash to include real estate purchases made above market rates.

• Digital Records: Every field interview and financial spreadsheet has been preserved digitally to avoid tampering before submission to the Chief Minister.

FAQ Section

Why did the SIT tell trust officials not to leave Ayodhya?

The instruction was issued to ensure that all key administrators and accountants remain instantly available for further questioning, preventing unexpected delays as the financial probe enters a critical phase.

Who is leading the Special Investigation Team?

The state-backed panel is led by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, working alongside Inspector General of Police Kiran S and Special Secretary of the Finance Department Neel Ratan.

Are ordinary devotees still allowed to visit the temple?

Yes. Official reports confirm that there has been no restriction or decrease in the number of devotees visiting the Ram Mandir for daily darshan; the investigation applies strictly to the trust's back-office financial management.

Source: Official operational reports from Press Trust of India, the Government of Uttar Pradesh Portal, and filings from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.