SIT chargesheet in Ram Temple donation theft case names eight accused
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The SIT has filed a massive 74,000-page chargesheet against eight individuals accused of embezzling donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The investigation, spanning 90 days, centers on the theft of approximately Rs 79.85 lakh during the cash-counting process.
Massive Chargesheet Filed in Ayodhya Donation Embezzlement Case
On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the Supreme Court-mandated Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed a monumental 74,000-page chargesheet before the Ayodhya District Court. This legal milestone marks the culmination of a 90-day investigation into the alleged siphoning of funds from the Ram Temple. The document, which includes extensive annexures and evidence, details the systemic misappropriation of cash donations that were intended for the temple's operations.
The Scope of the Allegations
The investigation has identified eight primary accused, including individuals directly involved in the sensitive task of counting temple donations. Among those named are Subhash Srivastava, who oversaw the counting process, and Ram Shankar Yadav (alias Tinnu), a driver described as a close aide to Champat Rai. The charges leveled against these individuals include criminal breach of trust and various violations of the Prevention of Corruption Act, specifically Sections 316(5), 372, 375, 162, 131A, and 132.
Financial Irregularities Uncovered
The SIT’s probe has uncovered the theft of approximately Rs 79.85 lakh in cash. Investigators arrived at these findings through a meticulous audit of bank accounts and a comprehensive evaluation of the value of donated items. The discrepancy between the recorded donations and the actual funds deposited triggered the initial probe in June, leading to the eventual arrest of the eight suspects. The sheer volume of the chargesheet—spanning over 70,000 pages—reflects the complexity of tracing these financial trails.
Legal and Procedural Context
Representing the accused, Kul Shekhar Singh of the Legal Aid Defense Council noted that the filing occurred within the mandatory 90-day window following the initial arrests. The procedural rigor observed by the SIT is intended to withstand judicial scrutiny, given the high-profile nature of the Ram Temple. However, the filing has not been without incident; local advocates at the District Court staged a protest and strike upon learning of the submission, signaling the intense local interest and tension surrounding the legal proceedings.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
This case highlights the challenges of maintaining transparency in institutions that handle massive volumes of public and religious donations. As the judicial process moves forward, the court will now begin the task of reviewing the thousands of pages of evidence submitted by the SIT. The outcome of this trial will likely set a precedent for how financial oversight is conducted in high-stakes religious trusts across India. Future trends suggest that the temple administration may face pressure to implement more stringent, perhaps automated, systems for donation counting to prevent similar breaches of trust.
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