FIR Registered in Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Case; Two Arrested as Probe Intensifies

Ayodhya/Lucknow, June 2026 : The investigation into the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya entered a crucial phase on Thursday with the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and the arrest of two individuals accused of embezzling offerings made by devotees.

The FIR, lodged on the directions of the Uttar Pradesh government, names eight accused, including six employees entrusted with counting cash donations received at the temple. The complaint was filed by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the management of the temple.

Police have arrested Anukalp Mishra and Lavkush Mishra in connection with the case. Efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining accused, including Ramshankar Yadav, who serves as the driver of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai. The other individuals named in the FIR are Avinash Shukla, Ramshankar Mishra, Manish Yadav, Subhash Chandra Srivastava and Karunesh Pandey.

According to the complaint, the accused were allegedly involved in the pilferage of temple donations and were identified through CCTV footage. Investigators claim that surveillance recordings captured the alleged acts of embezzlement, prompting the initiation of criminal proceedings.

The case has been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5), covering offences related to criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and other alleged violations.

The development comes days after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its preliminary findings to the Uttar Pradesh government. The report was handed over by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad following an inquiry into allegations concerning temple donations.

The Uttar Pradesh government had constituted the SIT after the allegations surfaced, directing it to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. During the course of the probe, the SIT questioned several individuals associated with the temple administration, including Trust General Secretary Champat Rai.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has strongly denied any institutional financial irregularities and has consistently maintained that it supports a transparent and impartial investigation. Trust representatives have stated that any wrongdoing by individuals should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier urged restraint and stressed the importance of allowing the investigation to proceed without speculation. He stated that no comments should be made that could hurt the sentiments of Lord Ram’s devotees and encouraged anyone possessing evidence to submit it before the SIT.

With the registration of the FIR, arrests already made, and additional documents reportedly submitted to investigators, the high-profile probe into the alleged misuse of temple donations has entered a more intensive stage. Authorities are expected to continue examining financial records, surveillance footage and witness statements as the investigation progresses.