Overview
- The state‑constituted three‑member Special Investigation Team has won a 15‑day extension to continue its criminal probe into alleged diversion of cash donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
- Police have registered an FIR under criminal and anti‑corruption laws and arrested eight people linked to cash collection and counting, with investigators saying the inquiry is not limited to those first arrests.
- Investigators say their preliminary work found prima facie irregularities and allege some offerings were diverted before being deposited into the temple’s bank account.
- Champat Rai’s driver has been detained and cash was reportedly recovered from him, while the VHP says it will wait for the SIT’s conclusions before taking any organisational action against Rai and has called negligence a possible offense.
- The VHP has publicly opposed transferring the case to the CBI, criticised reports of leaked investigation details, and called for a swift, senior‑led probe and fast‑track trial as political scrutiny grows ahead of state elections.