Rahul, Kharge write to PM; seek probe into theft of donations at Ayodhya Ram temple

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct “an independent and comprehensive investigation of the financial affairs” of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

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The letter, released on Sunday (July 19, 2026), just a day before the Monsoon session gets underway, seems to set the stage for a stormy session of Parliament.

“You are aware of the theft of thousands of crores in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed by the theft,” the Opposition leaders said in the letter, dated Saturday (July 18, 2026).

The Congress leaders said the Trust was set up by the Prime Minister on the instructions of the Supreme Court of India, but its members were entirely selected by the government.

“It is public knowledge that the members of the Trust are affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh [RSS], Vishwa Hindu Parishad [VHP] and its affiliates. Its disgraced former General Secretary was also your close associate. Your silence now in the face of such a crime is unacceptable. It is your duty to ensure accountability and restitution,” they said.

Mr. Kharge and Mr. Gandhi urged the Prime Minister to “order an independent and comprehensive investigation into the financial affairs of the Trust, including the handling of all offerings including cash, gold, silver”. 

They also demanded that findings and the Trust’s accounts should be made public “so that every devotee knows how their offerings have been utilised”. “All those found responsible must be held accountable, irrespective of position or influence. The credibility of your government and the Trust rests on how transparently and swiftly you act. The people of India are watching,” the Congress said.

The alleged theft of donations offered at the Ram temple surfaced in the first week of June and has so far led to the arrest of eight people and the resignation of two senior functionaries from the Trust.

On June 25, police registered an FIR in the case on a complaint by the Trust and arrested eight men.