politics
Ram Temple Trust Faces Embezzlement Investigation After Donations Reported Missing
Police have opened a criminal case and arrested eight people after allegations that millions of dollars in donations to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya were misappropriated. The trust’s general secretary and other trustees have resigned, and an official report on the claims has been submitted to state authorities.
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Police registered a criminal case and arrested at least eight people after allegations surfaced that donations worth millions of dollars had been misappropriated at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The arrests followed a public complaint by a former accounting supervisor and subsequent pressure from opposition figures.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, an independent body that manages the temple, has not released details of the internal report submitted by a three-member state investigation team. Several devotees have since come forward asking about the status of silver bricks, gold jewellery and other offerings they had given to trust officials.
The trust’s general secretary and other high-profile trustees stepped down on Friday. State police continue to investigate the handling of cash and valuables collected at the temple.
The allegations have drawn statements from opposition leaders who say the initial response by state authorities was insufficient. Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to hold elections early next year, and the temple has been a focal point for the governing party’s campaign messaging.
Local residents and some long-time temple supporters have expressed anger over the reported losses. One resident told Al Jazeera the episode had shaken trust in the temple’s management.
