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SIT Expands Probe and Orders Five‑Year Audit in Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Case

Authorities have broadened a criminal investigation to trace diverted offerings, recover assets and examine alleged VIP‑darshan fees and related land deals.

Overview

  • The case began after counting anomalies were flagged in early June and an FIR was filed on June 25 based on a government SIT report.
  • Investigators have arrested eight people tied to donation handling and recovered large sums from multiple premises, including ₹20.39 lakh, US$1,121, about 11g of gold and 375g of silver from accused Avinash Shukla.
  • The SIT carried out an extended eight‑hour on‑site inspection and the Ayodhya court granted 24 hours of police remand for Avinash Shukla to allow detailed questioning.
  • The government has extended the SIT’s mandate to allow a five‑year audit due July 15 and has drafted chartered accountants to examine bank records, QR‑code receipts and complex cash and jewellery flows.
  • Investigators are probing allegations of a paid VIP‑darshan network charging roughly ₹20,000–₹25,000 per devotee, listing intermediaries tied to Trust land transactions and assessing whether senior Trust officials face administrative or criminal liability.