Ram Temple Consecration Spending Under Scrutiny After Trust’s Rs 124-Crore Event Outlay

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has widened its investigation to scrutinise more than Rs 124 crore spent by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on major events, including.

The January 2024 Ram Lalla consecration ceremony, the 2025 Maha Kumbh, and the November 2025 Ram Temple flag-hoisting ceremony, sources said.

According to sources, investigators are auditing the trust’s financial records from the past two years, examining audit reports, payment vouchers, bills, expenditure statements and chartered accountant records to verify whether spending complied with the trust’s financial procedures and approval mechanisms.

Sources clarified that the SIT is carrying out a financial audit and has not reached any conclusions regarding irregularities. The exercise is aimed at verifying compliance with established rules governing expenditure and approvals.

The expanded probe comes amid the ongoing donation theft case involving the trust. The Uttar Pradesh government had constituted the SIT to investigate allegations of embezzlement of devotees’ offerings. While several accused have already been arrested, investigators have since broadened the inquiry to review the trust’s financial systems, expenditure records and approval processes.

The largest expenditure under review is the Rs 113 crore spent on the January 22, 2024, consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla, which was attended by nearly 8,000 guests. Audit records show that major expenses included Rs 35.97 crore on sheds and tent-city infrastructure, Rs 30.85 crore for the Akshat Pujan campaign, Rs 21.77 crore on publicity and advertisements, and Rs 14.62 crore on decoration and lighting.

The SIT is also examining Rs 83 lakh spent on the first Pratishtha Dwadashi celebrations held in January 2025, including Rs 52 lakh on lighting and decoration, as well as Rs 43 lakh spent on arrangements for devotees during the 2025 Maha Kumbh.

Another key area of scrutiny is the Rs 10.12 crore spent on the Ram Temple flag-hoisting ceremony held on November 25, 2025, which was attended by around 6,000 guests, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Investigators are verifying whether approvals, payment procedures and event-related expenditures complied with the trust’s financial regulations.

Apart from expenditure, the SIT is cross-checking records of gold and silver donated to Ram Lalla. According to trust documents under review, devotees donated 2.3 kg of gold and 83.3 kg of silver between November 2024 and February 2025, while an additional 1.5 kg of gold and 28 kg of silver were received during the Maha Kumbh. Investigators are verifying inventory records, storage arrangements and the current status of the valuables.

The trust has maintained that all donated valuables are safe and properly accounted for, while expressing confidence in the SIT investigation. It has also said it will strengthen transparency and oversight following the controversy, which recently led to the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra. Investigators are also examining whether detailed financial statements for these high-value events were placed before trust meetings for approval.