The Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked with overseeing the Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust’s finances has widened its mandate to examine the trust’s accounting records dating back to 2020, officials said. At a meeting in March, the trust disclosed that it had received donations totaling ₹82.78 crore (about $10 million) between 1 April 2025 and 28 February 2026. Those figures are now part of the SIT’s review of bank statements, donor lists and internal audit reports.
What happened
The trust presented the donation total at a March gathering of its senior officials and SIT members. The amount covers a ten‑month period that includes the final phase of fundraising before the temple’s anticipated completion. The SIT, which was set up by the central government after the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict that cleared the way for the temple’s construction, has now asked for detailed financial documentation for the period beginning in 2020.
Why it matters
The trust’s charter, derived from the Supreme Court’s judgment, requires that all contributions be used exclusively for temple‑related expenses. Any deviation could trigger legal scrutiny, affect donor confidence and have political repercussions, given the temple’s symbolic importance in Indian public life. By extending its review to the most recent fiscal year, the SIT aims to verify that the trust has complied with statutory guidelines and that no illicit or undisclosed funds have entered its accounts.
Background and context
The Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust was created after the Supreme Court’s landmark decision that resolved a decades‑long land dispute in the city of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The verdict, delivered in November 2019, allocated the disputed site to a trust to build a Hindu temple while granting an alternative plot for a mosque. Since then, the trust has overseen land acquisition, construction planning and fundraising activities.
The SIT was constituted by the central government in early 2020 to monitor the trust’s compliance with the court’s directives, particularly regarding land deals and the use of public donations. Earlier phases of the investigation examined the trust’s acquisition of surrounding parcels and the allocation of early‑stage construction funds. The current expansion of the probe marks the first time the SIT has systematically reviewed post‑2020 donation flows.
Competing claims and uncertainty
Opposition politicians and some civil‑society groups have publicly questioned the transparency of the trust’s fundraising, alleging that large contributions may have been sourced from entities with political or commercial interests. The trust, however, maintains that all donations are voluntary, fully disclosed and earmarked for temple construction.
The SIT’s request for donor lists and bank statements has raised concerns among some contributors about privacy and potential political misuse of financial data. At the same time, the trust argues that the scrutiny is a routine compliance check mandated by the Supreme Court’s judgment. Because the investigation is ongoing, no definitive findings have been released, and both sides continue to present divergent narratives about the trust’s financial integrity.
What to watch next
– Document submission deadline – The SIT has set a timeline for the trust to provide the requested financial records. Delays or partial compliance could signal further complications.
– Interim reports – The SIT is expected to file periodic status reports with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Those filings may reveal preliminary observations or highlight specific areas of concern.
– Legal challenges – If the SIT uncovers irregularities, the matter could be referred to the courts for adjudication, potentially leading to penalties, restitution orders or a restructuring of the trust’s governance.
– Political reactions – Parties that have previously raised objections are likely to use any SIT findings in parliamentary debates and election campaigning, especially as the temple’s inauguration approaches.
Conclusion
The expanded SIT investigation into the Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust’s finances underscores the heightened scrutiny surrounding one of India’s most high‑profile religious projects. By probing donations of ₹82.78 crore received between April 2025 and February 2026, the SIT seeks to confirm that the trust’s fundraising complies with the legal framework established by the Supreme Court. The outcome will have implications for the trust’s credibility, donor confidence and the broader political discourse on religious‑site governance.
Sources
– Hindustan Times, “Ayodhya Ram Temple probe widens as SIT examines trust finances since 2020,” March 2026, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ayodhya-ram-temple-probe-widens-as-sit-examines-trust-finances-since-2020-101783127717912.html
Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
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Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
