105 Theft Cases at Ram Temple: What Went Wrong With Security?

A major controversy has emerged around donation handling at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya after a Supreme Court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) reported 105 instances of alleged unauthorised removal or concealment of currency from the temple’s donation-counting room. The findings were based on CCTV footage and other digital and financial records. The SIT has identified eight accused persons, according to the status report discussed before the Supreme Court.

The issue is particularly significant because the temple’s donation system already had several safeguards. Earlier reporting on the investigation described requirements including biometric attendance, restrictions on personal belongings, frisking, CCTV monitoring, separate counting of donation boxes and documented reporting procedures. Investigators have alleged that some of these safeguards were not consistently enforced.

At the same time, the latest SIT findings do not indicate that every donation-related allegation was proven. The SIT told the Supreme Court that it found no discrepancies in the handling of several valuable donations, including silver bricks and other articles. It also verified records for 803 valuable articles stored in an SBI locker.

The next major development will be the chargesheet, expected by September 25. The Supreme Court has reviewed the SIT's status report in sealed cover and said further directions can be considered if additional investigation is required.

The controversy therefore raises a broader question: when millions of devotees contribute, is having security systems enough—or does the real test lie in how strictly those systems are enforced? The final legal responsibility will depend on the evidence presented in court.