India probes embezzlement allegations at Ram Mandir built on Babri mosque site

NEW DELHI – India has initiated an investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving donations collected at the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, one of the country’s most prominent Hindu religious sites bult on Babri Mosque site. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been formed to examine claims that funds donated by devotees may have been misappropriated. He said the inquiry was launched following recommendations from the trust responsible for managing the temple. Speaking at a public event, Adityanath urged anyone possessing evidence related to the allegations to submit it to investigators. Officials have not disclosed the amount allegedly involved, but opposition leaders and several media reports have suggested that the suspected financial irregularities could exceed $20 million. The Ram Mandir, inaugurated in 2024, was built in Ayodhya at a site long claimed by many Hindus as the birthplace of Lord Ram. The temple project reportedly cost around $240 million and was financed through public contributions. According to local media reports, the temple receives substantial daily donations from worshippers, with contributions increasing significantly during religious festivals and special occasions. The site has remained at the centre of political and religious debate for decades. The temple stands on land where the Babri Mosque, built during the Mughal era, once stood before it was demolished by Hindu activists in 1992. The dispute over the site played a major role in shaping India’s political landscape and contributed to the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The SIT is expected to review financial records and donation management procedures as part of its investigation into the allegations. Trump unveils refurbished Qatari-donated jet for Air Force One fleet