After donation theft at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a probe has been ordered into the alleged misappropriation of offerings at Shri Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand following claims on social media and a complaint by a Hindu organisation accusing an employee of the BKTC of stealing donation money from the holy shrine. Sanjeev Sandeep Khatri, president of organisation named Bhairav Sena, has alleged that a BKTC employee, who he claims to be the personal assistant to the committee chairman, misappropriated offerings made by devotees at the temple. In a letter shared on social media platforms, Khatri alleged that the incident took place on July 2 between 8 am and 8:30 am. He claimed that his organisation received information from sources within the temple committee and it subsequently collected its own inputs before submitting a complaint to the BKTC Chief Executive Officer. In a memorandum addressed to BKTC CEO, Sohan Singh Ranghar Bhaurav, Sena has demanded that CCTV footage from the time of the alleged incident be made public and sought a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter. The organisation also warned of an agitation if no action is taken. Meanwhile, Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chairman Hemant Dwivedi said on Friday that an inquiry committee has been constituted to conduct an impartial investigation into the allegations circulating on social media about the alleged misappropriation of offerings and donations at Shri Badrinath Dham. The allegations have been taken seriously, he said, adding that an inquiry has been ordered to establish the facts.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/parliament-monsoon-session-2026-key-bills-delimitation-1783098265827">Monsoon Session 2026: Key bills, delimitation push and major political realignments to watch</a>&nbsp;Dwivedi said strict action would be taken against any staff member found guilty after the inquiry and explanations have also been sought from the employees concerned. The chairman also clarified that the employee being referred to on social media as his ‘personal secretary’ is not his personal secretary. Dwivedi said the particular individual is a regular government employee of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee and had earlier served as a personal assistant to three former chairmen.&nbsp;He added that stringent action will be taken against those responsible if the allegations are found to be true in the investigation. BKTC CEO Sohan Singh Ranghar said that notices are being issued to the employee concerned as well as staff members who were on duty at the relevant time. He said the CCTV footage would also be examined as part of the inquiry. The fresh controversy on donation misappropriation at a revered holy shrine comes within a month of allegations cropping up about embezzlement of offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. &nbsp;The Uttar Pradesh Police are investigating the alleged financial irregularities after an FIR was registered on June 25 and eight named accused were arrested. The SIT constituted by the UP government has been granted additional time to widen the scope of its probe and examine all aspects of the case. The allegations prompted the resignation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Shetta, Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Anil Mishra, who stepped down taking moral responsibility for the incident. The trust will hold a meeting on Sunday and may take decisions on the resignations of Rai and Mishra. The Trust has said it is committed to ensuring a fair investigation and maintaining the faith of devotees.

Uttarakhand authorities have launched an inquiry into alleged misappropriation of donations at Shri Badrinath Dham following social media allegations. CCTV footage, staff notices, and a committee probe are underway, while officials promise strict action if wrongdoing is confirmed

After donation theft at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a probe has been ordered into the alleged misappropriation of offerings at Shri Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand following claims on social media and a complaint by a Hindu organisation accusing an employee of the BKTC of stealing donation money from the holy shrine. Sanjeev Sandeep Khatri, president of organisation named Bhairav Sena, has alleged that a BKTC employee, who he claims to be the personal assistant to the committee chairman, misappropriated offerings made by devotees at the temple. In a letter shared on social media platforms, Khatri alleged that the incident took place on July 2 between 8 am and 8:30 am. He claimed that his organisation received information from sources within the temple committee and it subsequently collected its own inputs before submitting a complaint to the BKTC Chief Executive Officer. In a memorandum addressed to BKTC CEO, Sohan Singh Ranghar Bhaurav, Sena has demanded that CCTV footage from the time of the alleged incident be made public and sought a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter. The organisation also warned of an agitation if no action is taken. Meanwhile, Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chairman Hemant Dwivedi said on Friday that an inquiry committee has been constituted to conduct an impartial investigation into the allegations circulating on social media about the alleged misappropriation of offerings and donations at Shri Badrinath Dham. The allegations have been taken seriously, he said, adding that an inquiry has been ordered to establish the facts. Also Read: Monsoon Session 2026: Key bills, delimitation push and major political realignments to watch Dwivedi said strict action would be taken against any staff member found guilty after the inquiry and explanations have also been sought from the employees concerned. The chairman also clarified that the employee being referred to on social media as his ‘personal secretary’ is not his personal secretary. Dwivedi said the particular individual is a regular government employee of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee and had earlier served as a personal assistant to three former chairmen. He added that stringent action will be taken against those responsible if the allegations are found to be true in the investigation. BKTC CEO Sohan Singh Ranghar said that notices are being issued to the employee concerned as well as staff members who were on duty at the relevant time. He said the CCTV footage would also be examined as part of the inquiry. The fresh controversy on donation misappropriation at a revered holy shrine comes within a month of allegations cropping up about embezzlement of offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. The Uttar Pradesh Police are investigating the alleged financial irregularities after an FIR was registered on June 25 and eight named accused were arrested. The SIT constituted by the UP government has been granted additional time to widen the scope of its probe and examine all aspects of the case. The allegations prompted the resignation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Shetta, Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Anil Mishra, who stepped down taking moral responsibility for the incident. The trust will hold a meeting on Sunday and may take decisions on the resignations of Rai and Mishra. The Trust has said it is committed to ensuring a fair investigation and maintaining the faith of devotees.

Probe ordered into alleged donation theft at Shri Badrinath Dham after social media claims; CCTV review and inquiry launched, strict action promised

After Ram temple row, investigation ordered into alleged donation theft at Badrinath Dham

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) issued its first comments on the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and called the incident “extremely painful” while urging strict action against the guilty. It also sought greater transparency and accountability in the temple’s management while expressing deep concern over the donation theft.&nbsp;In its statement on Friday, the RSS also appealed to the entire Hindu society to display patience and restraint and to thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to malign the Hindu dharma by exploiting this unfortunate incident.&nbsp;RSS Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale said that the grand temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi had become a symbol of faith and devotion for the Hindu community through the sacrifices and dedication of generations of devotees, and the donation theft had hurt the sentiments of Ram devotees across the country.“The grand temple constructed at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi has become a centre of reverence, faith, and devotion for the entire Hindu society, owing to the struggles of generations and the dedication, sacrifice, and martyrdom of crores of Rambhakts,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ram-temple-trust-prepones-key-meeting-to-july-6-as-champat-rai-s-future-hangs-in-balance-after-donation-theft-row-1782835529217">Ram Temple Trust prepones key meeting to July 6 as Champat Rai’s future hangs in balance after donation theft row</a>&nbsp;The unfortunate incident of theft has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire society and Ram devotees; “we are all extremely pained and angered by this event,” the RSS leader said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Statement issued by Dattatreya Hosabale, Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). New Delhi, July 3, 2026 The grand temple constructed at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi has become a center of reverence, faith, and devotion for the entire Hindu society,… <a href="https://t.co/ppdkc8kuwU">pic.twitter.com/ppdkc8kuwU</a>&mdash; RSS (@RSSorg) <a href="https://x.com/RSSorg/status/2072978551884960184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;Hosabale added that the Uttar Pradesh government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and initiated legal proceedings based on its recommendations.The RSS leader said “it is essential” to ensure that those found guilty after the investigation “face severe punishment”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-urgent-hearing-of-ram-temple-petitions-saying-heavens-are-not-going-to-fall-1782739148242">Supreme Court refuses urgent hearing of Ram Temple petitions, saying, 'Heavens are not going to fall’</a>&nbsp;He also called on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to treat the incident as an exceptional matter and address any shortcomings in the temple’s management and operational systems, stressing that it was essential to ensure that the faith of millions of devotees in the Ayodhya temple remains intact and the uncertainty surrounding the incident comes to an end.&nbsp;“It is natural for the entire Hindu society, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, to expect the Trust to treat this highly condemnable incident as an extraordinary matter and take effective steps to rectify all shortcomings in temple management and operations. This is crucial to ensure that the faith and reverence of crores of Ram devotees in the Ayodhya temple remain unbroken and steadfast. The current state of confusion and uncertainty must end,” Hosabale said in a video posted by RSS on X.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-ram-temple-donation-controversy-timeline-allegations-and-investigation-1782300937489">Ram temple donation controversy: Timeline, allegations and investigation</a>&nbsp;“The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh also calls upon the entire Hindu society to display necessary patience and restraint during this difficult moment and to thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to malign the Hindu dharma and society by exploiting this unfortunate incident,” the RSS general secretary said.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh called upon the Hindu society to thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to malign the Hindu dharma and society by exploiting this unfortunate incident of donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) issued its first comments on the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and called the incident “extremely painful” while urging strict action against the guilty. It also sought greater transparency and accountability in the temple’s management while expressing deep concern over the donation theft. In its statement on Friday, the RSS also appealed to the entire Hindu society to display patience and restraint and to thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to malign the Hindu dharma by exploiting this unfortunate incident. RSS Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale said that the grand temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi had become a symbol of faith and devotion for the Hindu community through the sacrifices and dedication of generations of devotees, and the donation theft had hurt the sentiments of Ram devotees across the country. “The grand temple constructed at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi has become a centre of reverence, faith, and devotion for the entire Hindu society, owing to the struggles of generations and the dedication, sacrifice, and martyrdom of crores of Rambhakts,” he said. Also Read: Ram Temple Trust prepones key meeting to July 6 as Champat Rai’s future hangs in balance after donation theft row The unfortunate incident of theft has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire society and Ram devotees; “we are all extremely pained and angered by this event,” the RSS leader said.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh called upon the Hindu society to thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to malign the Hindu dharma and society by exploiting this unfortunate incident of donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

‘We are all extremely pained and angered’: RSS says Ram Temple trust must rectify all shortcomings

As the probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya continues, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday (Jun 29) questioned former Trust chief Champat Rai for over three hours and recorded his statement. Rai has denied any involvement in the alleged donation theft. Trust member Anil Mishra was also questioned in the matter. Days earlier the two had resigned amid the constrovery involving irregularities in the handling of cash donations made by devotees at the temple, which holds immense significance as the revered birthplace of Lord Ram, a central deity in Hinduism.According to a PTI report, citing sources, Rai denied any involvement into the misappropriation of donation funds. He also told the investigators that he had not imagined employees entrusted with handling devotees’ offerings could be linked to such allegations.As part of the investigation, the police have issued notices to Trust members Anil Misra and Gopal Rao. The Trust is also preparing for an internal meeting scheduled for July 6, where it is expected to consider resignations submitted by Rai and Mishra.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ram-temple-donation-theft-row-trust-confirms-resignation-of-champat-rai-1782618859422">Ram Temple donation theft row: Trust confirms resignation of Champat Rai</a><h2>VHP defends Rai</h2>Defending Rai, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has maintained that the Trust itself flagged irregularities and initiated corrective steps. VHP international president Alok Kumar said that an internal review revealed discrepancies, following which about Rs 80 lakh was recovered and a formal request was made to the Uttar Pradesh government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT). It added that Rai fully cooperated with investigators.<h2>Ayodhya Bar Association refuses to represent accused</h2>The controversy has also triggered outrage from the legal bodies, with Faizabad Bar Association in Ayodhya announcing that none of its members would represent the accused named in the embezzlement case. It also warned to impose a Rs 5 lakh penalty on any lawyer violating the decision.The association has called for Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao to leave Ayodhya within three days, warning of blockade in the city if they don’t.Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India has deferred urgent hearing on a petition seeking a monitored probe, stating it will be taken up after reopening from vacation. The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier formed an SIT following the Trust’s request for investigation.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ram-temple-donation-theft-row-sit-findings-arrests-and-allegations-what-we-know-so-far-1782558176585">Ram Temple donation theft row: SIT findings, arrests and allegations – What we know so far</a><h2>Ram Temple row</h2>The investigation was launched after former SP MLA from Ayodhya, Pawan Pandey, alleged that donations worth Rs 7 crore to Rs 7.5 crore had been siphoned off from the Ram Mandir. Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government set up a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 14 at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The formal complaint was registered after the findings and suggestions in the preliminary report of the SIT.In the FIR, eight people were named, including Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Yadav, Rajesh Pathak, Ramashankar Yadav (Tinnu Yadav), Avinash Shukla, Karunesh Pandey, Subhash Srivastava, and other unidentified persons. All eight were taken into police custody and were being questioned.

SIT questioned Champat Rai and Anil Mishra in Ayodhya Ram Temple donation probe. Rai denied involvement in alleged irregularities as notices were issued to other Trust members.

As the probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya continues, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday (Jun 29) questioned former Trust chief Champat Rai for over three hours and recorded his statement. Rai has denied any involvement in the alleged donation theft. Trust member Anil Mishra was also questioned in the matter. Days earlier the two had resigned amid the constrovery involving irregularities in the handling of cash donations made by devotees at the temple, which holds immense significance as the revered birthplace of Lord Ram, a central deity in Hinduism. According to a PTI report, citing sources, Rai denied any involvement into the misappropriation of donation funds. He also told the investigators that he had not imagined employees entrusted with handling devotees’ offerings could be linked to such allegations. As part of the investigation, the police have issued notices to Trust members Anil Misra and Gopal Rao. The Trust is also preparing for an internal meeting scheduled for July 6, where it is expected to consider resignations submitted by Rai and Mishra. Also read | Ram Temple donation theft row: Trust confirms resignation of Champat Rai VHP defends Rai Defending Rai, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has maintained that the Trust itself flagged irregularities and initiated corrective steps. VHP international president Alok Kumar said that an internal review revealed discrepancies, following which about Rs 80 lakh was recovered and a formal request was made to the Uttar Pradesh government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT). It added that Rai fully cooperated with investigators. Ayodhya Bar Association refuses to represent accused The controversy has also triggered outrage from the legal bodies, with Faizabad Bar Association in Ayodhya announcing that none of its members would represent the accused named in the embezzlement case. It also warned to impose a Rs 5 lakh penalty on any lawyer violating the decision. The association has called for Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao to leave Ayodhya within three days, warning of blockade in the city if they don’t. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India has deferred urgent hearing on a petition seeking a monitored probe, stating it will be taken up after reopening from vacation. The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier formed an SIT following the Trust’s request for investigation. Also read | Ram Temple donation theft row: SIT findings, arrests and allegations – What we know so far Ram Temple row The investigation was launched after former SP MLA from Ayodhya, Pawan Pandey, alleged that donations worth Rs 7 crore to Rs 7.5 crore had been siphoned off from the Ram Mandir. Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government set up a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 14 at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The formal complaint was registered after the findings and suggestions in the preliminary report of the SIT. In the FIR, eight people were named, including Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Yadav, Rajesh Pathak, Ramashankar Yadav (Tinnu Yadav), Avinash Shukla, Karunesh Pandey, Subhash Srivastava, and other unidentified persons. All eight were taken into police custody and were being questioned.

SIT questioned Champat Rai and Anil Mishra in Ayodhya Ram Temple donation probe. Rai denied involvement in alleged irregularities as notices were issued to other Trust members.

Ram Temple donation theft row: Champat Rai grilled by SIT for over three hours

ram-temple-controversy

Ram Temple Controversy, News on Ram Temple Controversy, stories on Ram Temple Controversy, articles on Ram Temple Controversy, Ram Temple Controversy stories at Wion, Ram Temple Controversy news, Ram Temple Controversy latest news

ram temple-controversy

After Ram temple row, investigation ordered into alleged donation theft at Badrinath Dham

‘Extremely pained and angered’: RSS says Ram Temple trust must rectify lapses

Ram Temple donation theft row: Champat Rai grilled by SIT for over three hours