Ram Temple Donation Row: Ex-bank staffer among 8 arrested in Ayodhya fund misuse case

A major breakthrough has emerged in the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in donations collected for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, where authorities have arrested eight individuals, including a former bank employee and temple staff linked to cash handling operations.

According to officials, one of the key accused is a former bank staffer who allegedly played a crucial role in managing and accessing donation-related processes. The case has widened after CCTV footage and preliminary findings suggested discrepancies in the handling of cash collected from devotees.

Investigators revealed that several of the accused were directly involved in cash counting and donation management at the temple premises. Reports indicate that lapses in monitoring systems may have allowed misuse of funds intended for the Ram Mandir construction and operations.

The arrests follow an internal probe and recommendations from a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which flagged serious concerns over financial transparency and procedural weaknesses in donation collection and accounting systems.

Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing and more individuals may come under scrutiny as forensic audits and financial trail analysis continue.

The case has triggered widespread discussion over the need for stricter financial controls in high-value religious donation systems.