Congress Demands Supreme Court-Monitored Probe into Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft Allegations
Senior Congress leader and Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, Pramod Tiwari, has called for an independent investigation monitored by the Supreme Court into alleged donation thefts and financial irregularities linked to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Speaking at a press conference at the Congress party headquarters in New Delhi on August 2, 2026, Tiwari sharply criticized the handling of the trust and the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
What Happened
Addressing the press conference, Pramod Tiwari raised serious allegations regarding financial embezzlement involving temple offerings in Ayodhya. He noted that eight individuals were recently arrested in connection with donation thefts, asserting that this instance was not isolated. Tiwari claimed that corruption surrounding temple donations traces back to the 1980s during the shila pujan ceremonies. He argued that the current SIT constituted to investigate the matter lacks credibility, describing it as a “sham” and alleging that the official heading the inquiry is himself under criminal investigation.
Key Highlights
- Congress leader Pramod Tiwari requested a Supreme Court-monitored probe into alleged financial irregularities at the Ram Temple.
- Tiwari stated that eight people had been arrested in connection with the theft of temple donations.
- He criticized the SIT probe, labeling it a sham and alleging its head is subject to criminal investigation.
- The Congress leader alleged that seers and saints were excluded from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in favor of individuals linked to the BJP and RSS.
- He directly blamed former trust general secretary Champat Rai for institutionalising the theft of offerings.
- Tiwari stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally selected trust members and must remain accountable for their conduct.
- He confirmed that the Opposition intends to persistently raise the matter in Parliament.
Why This Matters
The allegations directly target the administrative governance of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and the oversight of public offerings. Tiwari, who served as Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister between 1985 and 1990 and hails from the Awadh region, emphasized that he has observed the Ram Janmabhoomi movement closely. By raising questions about trust appointments and calling for judicial oversight, the Opposition seeks accountability from top political leaders and trust administrators regarding the handling of sacred donations.
What to Watch Next
Pramod Tiwari stated that Opposition parties will continue to bring up the Ram Temple donation theft issue inside Parliament. Further developments depend on whether the government or judiciary responds to the demand for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation to identify the individuals responsible for the alleged embezzlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What probe did the Congress party demand regarding the Ram Temple?
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari demanded an independent investigation monitored directly by the Supreme Court into alleged donation thefts and financial irregularities.
What accusations were made against the SIT and the Temple Trust leadership?
Tiwari labeled the SIT investigation a “sham,” claiming its leader is under criminal investigation. He also accused former trust general secretary Champat Rai of institutionalising the theft and criticized the inclusion of BJP and RSS-linked individuals over seers and saints.
Source: Information derived from a reported press statement published by The Hindu on August 2, 2026.