The alleged theft of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya is under investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Here is what we know so far.

The SIT was formed on June 14 after the temple trust asked for a probe. It has now filed a 105-page chargesheet against eight accused persons in a local court.

According to the chargesheet, CCTV footage shows accused Avinash Shukla allegedly removing donation money on 85 occasions during the counting process. Mobile chats and call detail records are part of the evidence.

VHP international president Alok Kumar has said the probe has been expanded and that the guilty should face the strictest punishment. The VHP earlier demanded a formal FIR and a fast-track trial.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on October 4 accused the BJP government of hurrying to close the investigation. He has demanded an independent probe under Supreme Court supervision. The Supreme Court, according to the VHP’s Surendra Jain, has expressed satisfaction with the SIT’s report. The case remains politically charged ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh polls.