Congress Demands Supreme Court Inquiry into Ram Mandir Donations

K.C. Venugopal, General Secretary of the Indian National Congress, has called for an immediate investigation by the Supreme Court regarding alleged embezzlement of funds at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. This demand was articulated in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2nd July 2026.

The Congress leader described the situation as a “Chanda Chori mega scandal,” alleging that fraud related to the Ram Mandir donations could involve "hundreds of crores". He also stated that this represented a “monumental betrayal” of the Hindu faith and its followers.

In his correspondence, Venugopal raised concerns about the credibility of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Uttar Pradesh government, suggesting that it might merely serve as a facade rather than a genuine effort to uncover the truth. He expressed concern that ongoing investigations could lead to the destruction of key evidence while protecting those he referred to as the “big fish” behind the alleged financial misconduct.

“Lord Ram is revered as the embodiment of justice and righteousness. Allowing allegations of this nature to be buried would be a profound injustice to his devotees and the values he embodies,” he stated in the letter.

Venugopal described the situation as deeply troubling for many Indians who had shown their faith through financial contributions to the temple. He said, “The offerings made by ordinary citizens—who contributed their hard-earned life savings out of profound faith and reverence for Lord Ram—have been shamelessly looted, striking at the very sanctity of a place held sacred by millions.”

He further alleged that the preliminary investigation had revealed a highly organised racket operating within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. According to Venugopal, various systemic lapses indicated that such embezzlement was enabled by institutional support. He claimed that crucial surveillance footage had been destroyed to obscure evidence of the alleged crimes.

The Congress leader also claimed that complaints concerning these irregularities have either been ignored or actively suppressed. He highlighted the case of the Trust’s former Chief Accounts Officer, who had raised alarms about potential embezzlement issues as far back as 2020-21, only to be removed from his position without any action being taken.

So far, the SIT has reportedly arrested eight individuals, including lower-level staff members like drivers and clerks, while the institutional hierarchy remains unchallenged. Venugopal voiced that the current state-sponsored inquiry is insufficiently independent and lacks the capability to investigate individuals who wield considerable political influence.

He argued that given the Trust was created under the direct oversight of the Indian government in 2020, it is the government’s moral obligation to ensure accountability and restore public faith in the administration’s commitment to safeguarding religious donations.

In conclusion, he demanded the Prime Minister’s intervention to facilitate a fair investigation supervised by the Supreme Court, asserting the necessity for transparency and justice in this significant matter. The allegations of irregularities surfaced following an SIT’s preliminary report, leading to the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) on 25th June. The investigation is ongoing, with significant recoveries already made, including approximately ₹80 lakh in cash.

As this issue continues to unfold, Venugopal’s letter has sparked considerable discourse on the integrity of donation management and the implications for trust in religious institutions across India.