Ayodhya: The controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in donations made to the Ram Mandir has intensified after a prominent donor from the Sindhi community sought clarity on the utilisation of 200 silver bricks donated for the temple’s construction in 2021. The development comes as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government continues its probe into allegations of misappropriation of temple donations.

Dr Raju V Manwani, Chairman and Managing Director of Castles Group of Companies, has publicly raised questions regarding the status of the silver bricks that were handed over to the Ram Mandir Trust more than five years ago. His concerns have emerged amid growing scrutiny over the management and accounting of donations received for one of India’s most significant religious projects.

Donor seeks accountability over silver brick donation

According to Dr Manwani, the Sindhi community donated 200 silver bricks, each weighing one kilogram, to the Ram Mandir Trust on January 26, 2021. The donation was reportedly handed over to Ram Mandir Trust General Secretary Champat Rai on behalf of the community.

Speaking about the issue, Manwani said the donors were informed that the trust would assess how the silver could be utilised for temple-related purposes and communicate the details later. However, he claimed that no formal receipt or follow-up information regarding the use of the donation was subsequently provided.

He explained that the community initially did not seek additional clarification because it trusted that the contribution would be utilised appropriately for the temple’s construction and associated activities.

Concerns emerge amid ongoing investigation

The donor’s concerns surfaced after reports regarding alleged irregularities in temple donations gained public attention. Manwani stated that recent developments prompted members of the Sindhi community to seek details regarding the utilisation of their contribution.

He estimated that the value of the 200 kilograms of silver was between Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 2 crore when donated in 2021. Given the rise in silver prices over the years, he believes the current value could range between Rs 6 crore and Rs 7 crore.

Manwani emphasised that donors have a legitimate right to know how their contributions have been used. He argued that transparency is essential, particularly when donations are made for a specific purpose such as temple construction.

The donor also expressed concern that any diversion of funds or donated materials from their intended purpose would be deeply troubling for contributors who donated in good faith.

SIT submits preliminary report

The controversy comes shortly after the Uttar Pradesh government’s Special Investigation Team submitted its preliminary findings regarding alleged irregularities in Ram Mandir donations.

The SIT was constituted on June 13 to investigate allegations related to the handling and accounting of donations received by the temple trust. According to officials, the preliminary report has already been submitted to the state government, while the final report is expected within the next 10 to 15 days.

The investigation is being closely monitored due to the public importance of the temple project and the substantial donations it has received from devotees across India and abroad.

Officials involved in the inquiry have indicated that further examination of records, donation procedures and financial oversight mechanisms is underway before final conclusions are drawn.

Recommendations focus on transparency

As part of its preliminary findings, the SIT has reportedly recommended several measures aimed at improving transparency and accountability in donation management.

Among the key recommendations are videography of the removal and transportation of cash from donation boxes, weekly audits of donation counting processes, and maintenance of detailed daily records of offerings received at the temple.

The SIT has also suggested extending CCTV footage retention periods from the existing 45 days to 180 days to ensure greater oversight and facilitate future investigations if required.

Sources indicate that personnel involved in donation counting have already been replaced, while banking teams handling cash counting and certain volunteer assignments have also been reshuffled following the emergence of the allegations.

Political reactions add to controversy

The issue has also generated political reactions, with opposition parties demanding greater transparency and accountability.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has called for regular public updates on the investigation and urged closer scrutiny of the allegations.

Congress leader Tariq Anwar has demanded strict action if any wrongdoing is established during the probe, including legal proceedings against those found responsible.

The political attention has increased pressure on authorities to ensure that the investigation is conducted thoroughly and transparently.

Final report awaited

While the SIT’s preliminary report has identified areas requiring stronger oversight, no final conclusions regarding the allegations have yet been announced. Investigators are expected to continue examining donation records, trust procedures and financial transactions before submitting their comprehensive findings.

For donors such as Dr Raju V Manwani and the wider Sindhi community, the focus remains on obtaining clear information about how their contribution was utilised. The outcome of the SIT investigation is likely to play a crucial role in addressing those concerns and restoring confidence in the management of temple donations.

Conclusion

The demand for clarity regarding the 200 silver bricks has added a new dimension to the ongoing Ram Mandir donation controversy. As investigators continue their work, donors, devotees and political observers alike are awaiting the SIT’s final report, which could determine whether existing concerns are resolved or lead to further action.