UP Govt gives SIT 15-day extension in Ram Temple donation case
The Uttar Pradesh Government has given a 15-day extension to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations of embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, officials said on Wednesday. The tenure of the SIT has been extended to probe the matter in depth and broaden its scope, they said.
The three-member SIT was set up on June 13, 2026, and initially given 15 days to investigate alleged financial irregularities involving donations to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The team submitted a preliminary report on June 23. After an FIR was filed on June 25, police arrested eight people: Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramashankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav.
The case centres on claims that donations and offerings from devotees were taken from the temple’s donation boxes, or hundis. Reports suggest the suspected embezzlement could total Rs 7 crore, including cash and possibly jewellery. So far, police have recovered about Rs 79.85 lakh in cash from the accused, along with other items previously recovered by temple officials. Vijay Vishwas Pant (IAS, Divisional Commissioner, Lucknow), Kiran S (IPS, Inspector General of Police), and Neel Ratan (Special Secretary, Finance Department).
The extension, granted on July 1, 2026, pushes the deadline for the final report to July 15. Officials said the additional time will enable a more comprehensive examination of financial records, CCTV footage, donation counting processes, and all related aspects to reach a logical conclusion.
The case has attracted widespread attention. The case has drawn significant attention because the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is an important religious site, built through large public donations and devotion. Keeping the donation process transparent is considered essential for maintaining public trust in the temple.
The Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, has emphasised a fair and thorough probe. The accused have been produced before a local court in Ayodhya and remanded to judicial custody. Further questioning and evidence collection are ongoing as the SIT broadens its investigation.
“This extension reflects the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the allegations”, a senior official in the UP Government said. With the new deadline approaching, many are waiting for the SIT’s final report, which should reveal the full extent of the irregularities and identify who is responsible.
The investigation is ongoing, with police teams following several leads related to how the temple’s donations are managed.
