Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), July 2: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has demanded the return of all allegedly missing offerings, including gold, silver, diamond jewellery and other valuables, as the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations linked to the Ram Temple trust gathers pace.
Speaking amid mounting political pressure over the case, Yadav said that at the very least, all offerings made in kind—including precious metals and jewellery—should be accounted for and returned.
He questioned whether the trust could provide a complete record of all donations received, both in cash and in kind.
The controversy comes as investigators continue probing allegations of financial irregularities involving donations made to the temple trust. While police have earlier stated that around ₹80 lakh is under scrutiny, some complainants have alleged that the total amount involved could be as high as ₹200 crore. These claims have not been independently verified and remain under investigation.
Apart from the alleged missing cash, questions have also been raised over the whereabouts of jewellery and other valuable offerings donated by devotees.
Police have conducted raids at multiple locations linked to the accused and recovered substantial amounts of cash. According to officials, more than ₹20 lakh was recovered from the residence of key accused Anokul Mishra, while cash was also seized from properties linked to his relatives. Investigators are examining whether the recovered money has any connection to the alleged diversion of temple funds.
The case has triggered strong political reactions, with the Samajwadi Party intensifying its attack on the trust's management. Meanwhile, the Ayodhya Bar Association has reportedly sought the registration of FIRs against trust officials, including Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, in connection with the alleged irregularities.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is currently probing the matter. Given the scale of the alleged financial transactions, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also expected to examine the case if evidence points to potential violations under anti-money laundering laws.
As part of the investigation, authorities have sought bank account statements covering the last five years, not only of the accused but also of the trust, to determine the flow of funds and ascertain whether any money was siphoned off.
READ: Ram Temple Donation Case: Former Trust Chief questioned for 3 hours by SIT
The developments come ahead of a scheduled trust meeting on July 6, which is expected to be attended by senior leaders associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
The meeting is likely to take place amid growing scrutiny over the handling of donations and demands for greater transparency.
Ends.
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