Activist sought further investigation in Ram Temple embezzlement case

Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and social activist Amitabh Thakur on Friday (September 25, 2026) demanded further investigation sought in the Ram Mandir donation case and serious questions over the SIT chargesheet in the Ram Mandir donation case. Mr. Thakur, in a letter addressed to the UP Director General of Police (DGP) said while the scope of the investigation continued to expand, the number of persons facing criminal charges ultimately remained limited to eight and added this raises serious questions about whether the responsibility of persons and institutional/supervisory levels identified during the earlier stages of the investigation was adequately examined.

“I wrote to the DGP, Uttar Pradesh, in my letter; I mentioned that, according to facts reported in the media, the initial SIT had identified 70 incidents and serious supervisory lapses. The subsequent SIT investigation identified 105 incidents of unauthorised removal or concealment of cash and also found instances of “assistance by other persons” during the counting process.” Mr. Thakur said.

“The investigation reportedly examined CCTV footage, witness statements, banking and financial records, and forensic audit material. Despite this, the final chargesheet has been filed against only eight persons. While the scope of the investigation continued to expand, the number of persons facing criminal charges ultimately remained limited to eight.” Mr. Thakur added.

“It leads to serious questions about whether the responsibility of persons and institutional/supervisory levels identified during the earlier stages of the investigation was adequately examined. In view of these circumstances, he has demanded further investigation under Section 193(9) of the BNSS,” Mr. Thakur told The Hindu.