The UP SIT, investigating the crime of money laundering from donations made to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, has acquitted both Champat Rai and Anil Mishra of any wrongdoing. The final report of the investigating committee, submitted to the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust on August 17, showed a lack of documentary proof against any one of them, even though eight temple officials are still in custody.
- The SIT report was delivered by the Uttar Pradesh Home Department to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
- The first SIT was formed on June 13, 2026, with Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant heading it.
- The FIR dated June 25 mentioned eight temple employees and other people, but neither Champat Rai nor Anil Mishra.
- The Supreme Court felt dissatisfied with the abilities of the first SIT in conducting a forensic audit; hence the formation of a second SIT.
- Charges laid against the accused include the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
SIT Submits Final Report
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed to investigate the alleged stealing of donations from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, has handed over its report to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. This move was taken following weeks of investigation and the Supreme Court’s intervention doubting the adequacy of the previous investigation.
According to an official statement from the Uttar Pradesh Home Department issued on Monday, August 17, 2026, the three-member SIT—led by Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant—has completed its work and handed over the report for “further proceedings” by the trust. The panel also includes Range Inspector General Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar.
How the Investigation Unfolded
The SIT was constituted on June 13, 2026, at the request of the temple trust, before the Supreme Court took up the matter. Its preliminary report was submitted to the state government on June 23, 2026, and contained several “stringent recommendations,” according to official accounts. Acting on that preliminary report, trust member Krishnamohan filed a written complaint at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi police station, which led to the registration of an FIR on June 25, 2026.
The FIR named eight individuals—Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ram Shankar Yadav (alias Tinnu)—along with other unidentified persons. These accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The preliminary report thus formed the basis for subsequent arrests and related actions in the case.
Clean Chit to Champat Rai and Anil Mishra
A significant aspect of the first SIT’s findings is that it has given a clean chit to two high-profile figures linked to the trust: Champat Rai, the former general secretary, and Anil Mishra, a former trustee. Both had resigned earlier, citing moral responsibility in the wake of the donation theft controversy.
According to sources in the Uttar Pradesh Home Department, the report “does not name Rai even once” and states that Mishra “was also not aware that some people employed by a local branch of the State Bank of India were stealing cash and other valuables from the temple.” The report reportedly holds only the eight arrested temple employees responsible, citing CCTV footage and recovery of stolen money from seven of them as key evidence.
It is important to note that this first SIT report, while submitted to the chief minister, “does not have any legal or administrative value” in the current context because the Supreme Court has already expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance and the state has constituted a new SIT on the Court’s directions.
Supreme Court’s Intervention and the Second SIT
In July 2026, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) related to the case, the Supreme Court observed that the first SIT was “not equipped to conduct a forensic audit of the crime.” This judicial remark effectively questioned the technical depth and forensic capability of the initial probe.
Following this, the Uttar Pradesh government set up a second SIT with a different composition: Range IG Kiran S now heads the team, joined by Ayodhya Range DIG Somen Verma and Ayodhya Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Grover. This reconstitution signals an intent to strengthen the investigative process, particularly on forensic and audit aspects that the Court flagged as missing.
What the Report Means for the Trust and Next Steps
By submitting the final report to the trust, the state has effectively placed the ball in the trust’s court for administrative and internal actions, even as criminal proceedings against the eight named accused continue under the FIR. The trust can use the report to review internal controls, access management, cash handling protocols, and oversight mechanisms around donation collection and storage.
Meanwhile, the presence of another SIT would mean that more investigations may yet be ongoing or even to come, particularly those involving forensics of financial transactions, surveillance camera metadata, procedures at bank branches, and chain of custody of recovered money. These findings, which might contradict the conclusions of the first SIT, could well affect the course of the case in court.
Broader Implications for Temple Governance and Donor Confidence
Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is a place that holds great religious and national importance, and hence contributions come from all parts of the country and the overseas communities. With the accusation of theft in such an important organization, many queries arise regarding the management of the funds raised by a religious organization.
The first SIT has cleared Champat Rai and Anil Mishra of any charges, but the perception of people could depend on how well the second SIT conducts the forensic audit and how transparent the trust remains with the changes made in the system.
Conclusion
The submission of the SIT’s final report marks a critical milestone in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft case, but it is not the end of the investigative journey. With the Supreme Court already pushing for a more forensically equipped probe, the second SIT’s work will be closely watched. For the trust, the focus now shifts to internal reforms, cooperation with ongoing investigations, and clear communication to reassure devotees that their offerings are managed with the highest standards of integrity.
FAQs
1. Who submitted the SIT’s final report and to whom?
The Uttar Pradesh Home Department submitted the SIT’s final report to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for further action.
2. When was the first SIT formed and who led it?
The first SIT was formed on June 13, 2026, and was headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant.
3. Does the FIR name Champat Rai or Anil Mishra?
No, the FIR registered on June 25, 2026 does not mention the names of Champat Rai or Anil Mishra.
4. Why was a second SIT constituted?
The Supreme Court observed in July 2026 that the first SIT was not equipped to conduct a forensic audit, prompting the state to form a new team.
5. What charges have been filed against the accused?
The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
6. What evidence did the first SIT rely on?
The first SIT reportedly relied on CCTV footage and the recovery of stolen money from seven of the eight arrested temple employees.
7. Who are the members of the second SIT?
The second SIT is headed by Range IG Kiran S, with Ayodhya Range DIG Somen Verma and Ayodhya SSP Gaurav Grover as members.
8. What is the current status of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra in the trust?
Both Champat Rai and Anil Mishra had resigned from their positions in the trust earlier, citing moral responsibility amid the donation theft controversy.
Sources
- The Hindu – “SIT submits final report to Ram Janmabhoomi Trust in Ayodhya temple donation theft case”
- The Telegraph – “Ram temple donation theft: First SIT gives clean chit to Champat Rai and Anil Mishra”
- The Times of India – “Clean chit to Champat Rai, Anil Mishra? SIT submits final report in Ayodhya temple donation theft case”
