The Congress party has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into donation thefts at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, citing a 21-day delay in filing an FIR. The party alleges that former trust officials were shielded during the probe. Notably, investigators found that a portion of the stolen funds was allegedly invested in the stock market, leading to the freezing of 30 bank accounts.
The Indian National Congress has intensified its criticism of the administration concerning the management of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Following reports of donation thefts at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, the party has demanded a transparent inquiry monitored by the Supreme Court of India. The core of the allegation is an unexplained 21-day gap between the discovery of the theft and the formal filing of an FIR, which the opposition argues suggests administrative negligence or an attempt to protect key figures.
In June 2026, the Uttar Pradesh government established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incidents. The investigation eventually led to a charge sheet naming eight individuals, primarily comprised of support staff and bank employees. However, the Congress leadership has highlighted that former trust general secretary Champat Rai and trust member Anil Mishra were treated as witnesses rather than accused in the proceedings, raising concerns about potential preferential treatment for senior officials.
A significant financial angle has emerged from the SIT investigation, which is relevant to those tracking the financial movement of these funds. Investigators discovered that some of the money stolen from the temple donations was reportedly routed into the stock market and also used for lending at interest. In connection with these findings, authorities have frozen 30 bank accounts. This aspect of the case underscores the importance of monitoring how misappropriated funds can impact various financial avenues, including the share market.
The SIT submitted its final report to the Trust in August 2026. While the legal process regarding the named accused continues, the political pressure for a deeper, independent judicial probe remains high. For observers, the key monitorables moving forward will include any potential court orders regarding the demand for a supervised investigation and further updates on the recovery of the stolen funds. The situation reflects the ongoing challenges in ensuring transparency and administrative accountability within high-profile public trusts.