SIT finds prima facie evidence of Ram Mandir donation embezzlement, CCTV captures around 70 suspicious incidents

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir has found prima facie evidence of financial irregularities, with its preliminary report citing around 70 suspicious incidents captured on CCTV between April 27 and June 5, 2026.

According to the report, CCTV footage allegedly shows members of the cash-counting staff concealing wads of cash while handling donations. Investigators said the visual evidence is supported by the recovery of cash, valuables and bank deposits that appeared disproportionate to the employees’ known sources of income.

Key Highlights

• SIT identified around 70 suspicious incidents on CCTV between April 27 and June 5, 2026.
• Footage allegedly shows cash-counting staff concealing bundles of donation money.
• Recovery of cash, valuables and disproportionate bank deposits strengthens the preliminary findings, the report says.
• Security lapses, including lack of frisking and weak monitoring inside the counting room, allegedly facilitated the crime.
• No prima facie evidence was found to support claims of missing silver bricks or other valuable offerings.

The preliminary report attributes the alleged embezzlement to several procedural and security failures within the donation-counting process. Investigators noted that staff members were not frisked while entering or leaving the counting areathere was poor control over personal belongingsand cash collected from multiple donation boxes was counted togethermaking it difficult to maintain proper accountability and audit trails.

The SIT further stated that around ₹78.94 lakh had already been recovered from certain employees before the formal investigation began. In addition, investigators allegedly recovered ₹2.25 lakh in cash from a bathroom attached to the donation counting room during a search conducted on June 4, 2026.

The report said these recoveries, along with CCTV footage and financial records, form the basis of the preliminary findings. However, the investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to conduct further forensic examination of financial transactions and question additional staff members involved in the donation management process.

The SIT also addressed several claims circulating on social media regarding the alleged disappearance of silver bricks and other valuable offerings made by devotees. According to the preliminary report, investigators found no prima facie evidence to substantiate those allegations.

Officials indicated that further investigation will determine the full extent of the alleged embezzlement, identify those responsible and recommend measures to strengthen transparency, surveillance and accountability in the management of temple donations.