Investigators have uncovered fake donation receipts allegedly used to collect money from devotees in the Ram Temple donation fraud investigation, Indian media reported on Wednesday.
Investigators have uncovered forged donation receipts allegedly used to collect money from devotees in the Ram Temple donation fraud investigation, adding a new dimension to a case that has already led to multiple arrests, India Today reported on Wednesday.
According to the report, citing sources familiar with the investigation, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) recovered counterfeit receipt books that closely resembled official donation slips issued by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Investigators believe the forged receipts were used to convince worshippers they were making legitimate donations to the temple.
Eight people have been arrested in connection with the investigation, including Ramshankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav, who investigators described as a close associate of the trust’s former general secretary, Champat Rai. Rai resigned last week following the controversy but has not been charged with any offence.
According to the report, several suspects told investigators they had collected donations using fake receipt books carrying the trust’s logo, making the documents appear authentic. Authorities are examining financial records to determine how much money was allegedly collected through the scheme.
Investigators also found that the suspects abandoned the forged receipt system after the temple introduced digital donation receipts, allowing devotees to transfer funds directly to the trust’s bank account or obtain receipts from authorised counters.
The SIT has separately alleged that six employees responsible for counting temple donations siphoned off between 200 million and 300 million Indian rupees (about $2.3 million to $3.5 million) over an extended period by exploiting gaps in CCTV surveillance and weaknesses in security procedures, according to India Today.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not announced further arrests or filed final charges. Officials are continuing to assess the full scale of the alleged fraud and whether additional suspects were involved.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya is one of India’s most important Hindu pilgrimage sites, attracting millions of devotees annually. The temple, inaugurated in 2024, was built on a site long claimed by Hindus as the birthplace of Lord Ram after decades of legal and political disputes.
The alleged fraud has attracted nationwide attention because of the temple’s religious significance and the large volume of public donations it receives. Authorities have said they are reviewing financial oversight and security procedures as the investigation continues.
