The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which was established in 2020 to oversee the construction and management of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, is facing serious questions over its financial management after allegations surfaced regarding unaccounted cash and jewellery donations. The controversy has gained further attention after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its preliminary findings to the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday.
What has made the issue particularly significant is the revelation that a private audit firm had raised serious concerns about the trust’s functioning as early as November 2020, only months after its formation. The auditors reportedly described the trust’s management structure as “highly unprofessional” and warned that the absence of proper systems could lead to financial irregularities and reporting issues.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was formed on February 5, 2020, following the Supreme Court verdict that cleared the way for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Since its establishment, the trust is estimated to have received nearly ₹3,500 crore in cash donations alone, apart from valuable offerings such as jewellery and other items donated by devotees.
According to sources associated with the trust, a senior trust official approached a private audit firm in November 2020 seeking advice on internal auditing and risk management. The firm conducted an assessment of the trust’s systems related to fund management and data management and identified several major shortcomings.
One of the most significant recommendations made by the auditors was the immediate creation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to regulate every aspect of the trust’s functioning. The report highlighted the need to establish SOPs covering financial transactions, data management, staffing responsibilities, and resource allocation. According to the auditors, such procedures would create an organized work culture, improve accountability, and ensure that all executives followed standardized processes.
However, six years later, there is no indication that such an SOP has been implemented. The trust’s official website contains no reference to any Standard Operating Procedure, and no internal audit reports are publicly available.
The audit report painted a troubling picture of the trust’s operational framework. It stated that management layers at the execution level were undefined and highly unprofessional. Auditors noted that systematic records for financial reporting, particularly regarding donations, were not available. They warned that the lack of organizational structure would make it difficult to control information and maintain fair practices.
The report also highlighted the absence of multiple verification mechanisms in financial operations. Auditors found that there were no second- or third-level checks during transactions or data entry processes. They stressed that accountability needed to be established through a structured organizational hierarchy and emphasized the importance of coordination between departments to maintain data integrity and effective management.
The auditors cautioned that without professional staff and proper data management systems, the trust risked generating dubious information, inaccurate reports, and misleading records that could affect both employees and management.
The report specifically addressed the handling of donations, including jewellery and other valuables offered by devotees. Auditors recommended maintaining detailed stock registers and proper records for all in-kind donations. They advised that every non-cash donation should be systematically entered into inventory records to ensure transparency and accountability.
Recent allegations that cash donations and jewellery at the Ram Temple may not have been properly accounted for have brought these earlier warnings back into focus. A source associated with the trust reportedly stated that the current controversy could have been avoided if management had acted on the recommendations made by the audit firm years ago.
Beyond financial concerns, the auditors also criticized the trust’s human resource management. Despite employing thousands of people, the trust reportedly lacked a dedicated Human Resources department. The report recommended hiring qualified personnel for critical functions such as periodic bank reconciliations, accounting data entry, and Management Information System (MIS) operations.
Data security and information management emerged as another area of concern. The audit found no records showing that the trust’s IT management company had established adequate systems for handling sensitive data, server management, cybersecurity, or protection against data theft. Auditors noted the absence of internal controls to validate, monitor, and verify data entered by the IT service provider, raising concerns about the integrity and security of the trust’s information systems.
The report further warned that without proper oversight, the trust faced risks related to data theft, unauthorized transactions, and inaccurate record-keeping. To address these vulnerabilities, the auditors recommended appointing dedicated and qualified staff to coordinate with the IT service provider and ensure compliance with security policies and data management controls.
The firm stressed that clear policies and regular monitoring were essential to safeguard information and maintain reliable records. It warned that the absence of such controls increased the possibility of security breaches and inappropriate transactions.
Despite these recommendations, there is no public evidence that the suggested reforms were fully implemented. Attempts to obtain comments from the trust’s accountant and General Secretary Champat Rai reportedly did not receive a response. Officials from the audit firm were also unavailable for comment.
With the SIT now examining allegations involving the handling of donations, the trust finds itself under increased scrutiny. The controversy has also renewed attention on the warnings issued by auditors in 2020, who had predicted that inadequate systems, weak accountability, poor record-keeping, and insufficient oversight could eventually lead to serious management and financial challenges.
The unfolding investigation is expected to determine whether the concerns raised six years ago contributed to the alleged irregularities that are now at the center of the controversy surrounding one of India’s most prominent religious institutions.
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