The Uttar Pradesh police said they will request that Additional District Judge (Anti‑Corruption) Rajat Varma place two men in police custody as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in donations for the Ram Temple project in Ayodhya.
Police officials briefed to the media said the request will be filed on Thursday, seeking custody to “probe the money trail” linked to the case. The two accused, identified as Ramesh Kumar and Amit Sharma, are alleged to have facilitated the transfer of large sums purportedly meant for the temple’s construction, but investigators suspect the funds were diverted for personal use.
The case was first registered after a complaint lodged by a senior temple committee member alleged that the two men received cash donations exceeding ₹2 crore and failed to account for their allocation. The police have reportedly seized bank records, cash receipts and digital transaction logs, and are now pursuing a forensic audit of the accounts of several charitable trusts associated with the project.
Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the anti‑corruption court can order police custody for up to 15 days, after which a judicial custody decision must be reviewed. The police say the custodial request is necessary to prevent the suspects from tampering with evidence and to secure the cooperation of potential witnesses.
The Uttar Pradesh government has not commented on the specific request but reiterated its commitment to “transparent and accountable” handling of all temple‑related donations.
Analysis:
The move to seek police custody underscores the sensitivity of the Ram Temple donation issue, which has been a focal point of political and religious discourse in the state. By involving the anti‑corruption court, authorities signal an intent to treat the alleged financial misconduct as a serious violation of public trust rather than a routine charitable‑funds matter. The request also aligns with broader efforts by the Uttar Pradesh administration to demonstrate fiscal probity amid ongoing scrutiny of large‑scale religious projects.
If the court grants custody, investigators will have greater leeway to interrogate the accused and potentially uncover a network of intermediaries. However, the case may also attract heightened political attention, given the temple’s symbolic importance and the involvement of high‑profile donors.
Sources
– Hindustan Times, “UP Police to seek custody of Ram Temple donation case accused, probe money trail,” July 5 2026, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-police-to-seek-custody-of-ram-temple-donation-case-accused-probe-money-trail-101783213806474.html
Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
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