AYODHYA: Behind the sanctum of the Ram Temple, far from the chanting devotees and winding queues, runs a massive cash-handling operation, one that processes offerings worth up to Rs 75 lakh on an average day, and several crores during festivals.That system is now under intense scrutiny after allegations of large-scale diversion of donations triggered a political storm and a police probe.At the heart of the controversy is the multi-stage donation management mechanism of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees collections from 40 donation boxes installed across the temple complex. What was designed as a tightly controlled process, involving restricted access, CCTV surveillance and bank oversight, is being examined for procedural lapses that investigators believe may have been exploited.
How the donations flow
Every day, offerings in the form of cash, coins and valuables are collected from 40 boxes placed within the temple premises. On normal days, the collections average around Rs 75 lakh, but the figure can rise two to three times on auspicious occasions.In 2024–25 alone, the total value of offerings is estimated at Rs 153 crore, excluding interest earned from fixed deposits.Once collected, the boxes are sealed and transported to the Pilgrim Facilitation Centre, located about 200 metres from the main temple. The basement of this complex houses the counting hall.
Inside the counting hub
The counting process operates in two shifts, from 8am to 2pm and from 2pm to 8pm. Around 20 tellers work simultaneously in each shift, taking the total workforce involved in daily counting to roughly 44 outsourced staffers.The system was designed with multiple safeguards. Counting personnel are supposed to wear pocket-less clothes, remain inside the hall during their shifts except for controlled breaks, and work under a layered supervision structure.Each shift has an in-charge, with one supervisor for every four to five tellers.The overall cash-handling process has been formally linked to SBI, with operational involvement from bank staff and technology partners.After sorting and counting, cash is packed, sealed and deposited with the SBI branch. According to the trust, no cheque books are maintained, and all transactions are routed digitally through direct account transfers.
How the donations flow
Allegations spark political heat
The controversy erupted on June 7 after former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey alleged that Rs 7–7.5 crore was being siphoned off from daily donations.SP chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed the claim, demanding accountability, while voices from within the local BJP also sought an investigation.The pressure mounted further when Nripendra Misra, chairman of the temple construction committee and a trust member, publicly flagged loopholes in the donation-counting mechanism and recommended appointing a professional CEO to improve oversight.While the trust’s general secretary Champat Rai initially dismissed the allegations, growing public scrutiny prompted the trust to seek a formal probe by the Uttar Pradesh government.
SIT flags procedural weaknesses
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath constituted a special investigation team (SIT) on June 13. Within a week, the SIT submitted an interim report pointing to serious gaps in implementation of existing protocols, particularly during the counting and packing stages, where large volumes of cash are handled.So far, eight people have been arrested, including six employees of the outsourced agency engaged in cash counting. Two others, identified as individuals who supervised or facilitated the process, are also in custody.
What went wrong: key lapses under lens
Investigators say the alleged diversion did not stem from the absence of rules, but from weak enforcement:
- Pocket-less clothing norms ignored: Staff were not consistently checked, creating opportunities to conceal cash.
- Cash handling deviations: CCTV footage reportedly shows currency bundles being handed to individuals instead of being placed in designated trays or sealed containers.
- CCTV blind spots: Some staff allegedly positioned themselves in ways that obstructed camera views. Footage was also overwritten after 45 days, limiting retrospective scrutiny.
- Frisking failures: Entry and exit checks by private security lacked robust verification mechanisms.
- Outsourced staff accountability: Roles and responsibilities were not clearly documented, making it difficult to fix individual liability.
- Heavy manual intervention: Multiple human touch points, from box collection to counting, packing and deposit, increased vulnerability to diversion.
The SIT is also auditing records of valuables and inventory management after preliminary discrepancies were noticed.
A system under reset
The probe has raised questions about governance and financial transparency at one of India’s most prominent religious institutions.Investigators are now examining whether automation, longer CCTV retention, tighter banking controls and clearer role definitions could plug the gaps that allegedly allowed misuse.
