The alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has taken a new turn. Sources at the State Bank of India state that the bank had asked for the replacement of the temple cash-counting staff nearly three months before the suspected irregularities were reported. The sources said SBI suspected funds were being diverted from donation boxes and advised removing the staff handling daily collections. The proposal was reportedly delayed after officials from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust intervened, allowing the workers to remain in their positions. Earlier reports indicated that the outsourcing agency hired by SBI had started the replacement process following the bank’s concerns, but the action was halted due to Trust intervention. The cash-counting staff had been engaged through an outsourcing firm on monthly pay between 12,000 and 15,000 rupees. Senior SBI officials noted that several individuals linked to temple management, though not Trust members, questioned why temporary outsourced staff rather than permanent bank employees were assigned to count daily donations. The new claims have heightened the political dispute. Congress leader Pawan Khera stated that SBI had recommended removing the counting staff three months earlier and asked who had protected them. He described the Ayodhya case as only an indication of further issues ahead. Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal criticised the government over the matter. An investigation by a Special Investigation Team formed by the Uttar Pradesh government led to an FIR on June 25. Eight individuals have been arrested so far. Investigators have named one person as the main accused, alleging he helped a relative obtain a position in the cash-counting unit. Police have recovered about 80 lakh rupees in cash and some foreign currency from six of the accused. Opposition parties claim donations exceeding 200 crore rupees were diverted, though this has not been proven in court. The accused face charges under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for breach of trust, cheating, theft and conspiracy, as well as provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The temple Trust faces greater scrutiny, with its general secretary submitting his resignation and another senior official offering to step down. The Faizabad Bar Association has decided that none of its members will represent the accused.
