Ram Mandir Donation Theft News — What Pilgrims Should Know (July 2026)

Ram Mandir Donation Theft News — What Pilgrims Should Know (July 2026)

Ayodhya's Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir is in the headlines over allegations that cash and valuables from devotees' hundi (donation box) offerings were embezzled by people involved in counting collections. This page summarizes verified reporting on the investigation. Nothing below is a court finding — treat all amounts and roles as allegations unless stated otherwise.

Quick answer for travelers: Darshan, Sugam e-pass booking, and aarti schedules continue on the official SRJBTKT portal. The case is a criminal investigation into donation handling, not a temple closure. See our darshan timings guide before you go.

Timeline at a glance

Who was named in the FIR?

The eight people named in early reporting (spellings vary slightly by outlet) include Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav (The Hindu). They are accused of roles tied to counting or handling donation cash, not of ordinary pilgrim activity.

What police and the SIT allege

According to NDTV, The Times of India, and India Today:

• Cash may have been temporarily hidden in temple washrooms before being removed.
• A brother-in-law duo (Lavkush Mishra and Anukalp Mishra) allegedly diverted the largest share; police say properties were traced.
• NDTV reported the trust recovered ₹89 lakh before the FIR based on information from Avinash Shukla; Times of India reported police recovered about ₹80 lakh from accused after arrests — these may refer to different recovery stages, not a single total.

How much was stolen overall? There is no confirmed final amount. BBC notes allegations of tens of millions of rupees embezzled; a former legislator cited ₹7 crore+ in media. Political opponents have cited higher figures — treat all totals as unproven allegations until courts or auditors publish findings.

Trust and government response

The trust says an FIR was filed based on the SIT interim report and that legal proceedings are underway (Times of India). The same report notes Ayodhya police registered the FIR on a complaint by trust member Krishna Mohan. The trust denies mishandling devotees' offerings in earlier statements reported by BBC.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said action began after the SIT report and that "playing with public sentiment is unacceptable" (Business Today).

BBC reports petitions seeking court-monitored probes and, in some cases, a CBI investigation — the matter is both criminal and politically contested.

Does this affect your darshan?

For most pilgrims, visiting rules on our site remain the same:

• Sugam Darshan e-pass — book free at online.srjbtkshetra.org (Sugam guide).
• Timings — general darshan roughly 6:30 AM–12 PM and 2–9:30 PM (darshan page).
• Mobiles and bags — not allowed inside; lockers near the entrance.

We have not verified any specific change to temple hours from official SRJBTKT notices related to this probe. Check the official portal the day before travel.

Live headlines & social reactions

Our Ram Mandir news hub links to BBC, The Hindu, NDTV, Times of India, India Today, and excerpted X posts / statements — each with the original source.

Related guides on UP Ayodhya

• Sugam Darshan e-pass step-by-step
• Ram Mandir darshan timings & rules
• How to reach Ayodhya
• Hotels near Ram Mandir
• Daily Ayodhya news digest

Last updated: 1 July 2026. Summarizes third-party reporting only — not legal advice or an official temple statement.

Last updated: 1 July 2026.