
The final report on the theft of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is complete and will be submitted to the authorities anytime now, sources told NDTV on Thursday. The investigation, which has been underway for several weeks, is expected to lay out the full scope of the alleged scam.
Sources close to the probe said the document is comprehensive and details how the theft was carried out. Officials have not yet confirmed the exact timeline for the submission, but it is expected within the next 24 hours.
The entire case came to light after a chance discovery of stolen cash in a temple washroom. The Times of India reported that the money, part of a larger haul, was found by a cleaner, which then triggered a wider investigation.
Police later recovered key documents from the rented house of one of the accused. These documents, according to Telegraph India, are believed to contain evidence of a systematic siphoning of funds meant for the temple's construction and maintenance.
The scandal has sparked sharp political reactions. The Congress party has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who announced the formation of the Ram Temple trust in Parliament, must break his silence on the floor of the House. The party argues that the theft is a matter of public trust and requires a direct response from the government.
The Wire, in an opinion piece, has raised broader questions about the handling of temple funds, calling for a deeper probe into the systems that allowed the alleged theft to occur.
The investigation has also led to questions about transparency in the management of donations, which have been collected from millions of devotees across the country.
Once the report is submitted, it will be reviewed by senior officials, who will then decide on further action, including potential arrests or a judicial inquiry. The accused, who are currently in custody, may face additional charges based on the findings.
The case has also prompted calls for stricter oversight of temple finances nationwide. Watch for official reactions and any statements from the trust or the government in the coming days.