Ram Mandir donation scam: Rs 7 crore loot, 8 arrests sparks political row

An alleged seven crore rupee donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram temple has initiated a political row months before UP state assembly elections. A Special Investigation Team formed by the Uttar Pradesh government has arrested eight individuals for allegedly siphoning off cash and jewelry donated by devotees. The accused reportedly exploited security loopholes, tampered with CCTV cameras, and colluded with bank officials to bypass the counting process. Following the development, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust members Champat Rai and Anil Mishra have submitted their resignations. An internal audit had previously flagged financial vulnerabilities and weak data management within the trust. The opposition has escalated the issue, with the Congress writing to the Prime Minister to demand an independent, Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the embezzlement. The probe continues as investigators trace the recovered funds and examine the assets of the accused.