Ayodhya donation 'theft' row: SIT probing Rs 124 crore spent by Trust on Ram temple events over 2 years
LUCKNOW: The SIT has widened the scope of its investigation to examine more than Rs 124 crore spent on major events organised by the Ram Temple Trust, including the Jan 22, 2024, consecration ceremony, Maha Kumbh 2025 arrangements, and the Nov 2025 flag-hoisting ceremony.Sources said the SIT is conducting an audit of the Trust’s financial records of the past two years.
Investigators have examined audit reports, payment vouchers, bills, chartered accountant records and expenditure statements to verify whether funds were utilised in accordance with the Trust’s prescribed financial procedures and approvals.The largest expenditure under scrutiny is Rs 113 crore spent on the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on Jan 22, 2024, attended by nearly 8,000 guests, including PM Narendra Modi.According to audit records accessed by investigators, the Trust spent Rs 35.97 crore on sheds and tent city infrastructure, ₹30.85 crore on the Akshat Pujan campaign, ₹21.77 crore on publicity and advertisements, and ₹14.62 crore on decoration and lighting.
Other expenditures included ₹5.11 crore on food arrangements (Ann Kshetra), ₹1.06 crore on religious rituals, ₹93 lakh on devotional music (Raag Seva), ₹68 lakh on sound systems, ₹43 lakh each on electricity and Mandal Pujan, besides ₹51 lakh on miscellaneous preparations.The SIT is also examining expenditure incurred on the first Pratishtha Dwadashi celebrations, held from Jan 11 to 13, 2025, during which the Trust reportedly spent Rs 83 lakh, including Rs 52 lakh on lighting and decoration alone.Investigators are further reviewing Rs 43 lakh spent by the Trust on arrangements for devotees during Maha Kumbh.Another major focus of the probe is the Ram Temple flag-hoisting ceremony held on Nov 25, 2025, which, according to Trust records, cost Rs 10.12 crore.The event was attended by around 6,000 guests, including PM Modi.
The SIT is examining whether the approvals, payment procedures and head-wise expenditures for the event complied with the Trust’s financial regulations. Sources said the average expenditure worked out to around Rs 16,000 per guest.Apart from expenditure, the SIT is verifying records of precious metals and jewellery donated to Ram Lalla.
Trust records indicate that between Nov 2024 and Feb 2025, devotees donated 2.3kg of gold and 83.3kg of silver. During Maha Kumbh, additional 1.5kg of gold and 28kg of silver were received as offerings.Investigators are cross-checking documentation relating to these donations, including inventory records, storage arrangements and their present status.Sources said the SIT is also examining whether detailed financial statements relating to these high-value events were placed before meetings of the Trust, whether expenditure received due approval, and whether payments were made strictly in accordance with the Trust’s prescribed financial norms.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in LucknowStay updated with the latest Lucknow news.
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