- By Nidhi Giri
- Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:59 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- The trust did not follow the SOP suggestions of the audit firm.
- Case of embezzlement of donation amount due to negligence in financial management.
- No systematic record was maintained of the donated cash and jewellery.
Jagran Correspondent, Ayodhya: Ram Temple donation theft that surfaced six years after construction of the temple might have been avoided if the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had established a standard operating procedure (SOP) for financial management and implemented recommendations made by its auditors. The trustees, however, failed to act on the firm's suggestions.
Jagran sources stated that after the Supreme Court's decision on the construction of the temple and the formation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra on February 5, 2020, only about nine months later, in November 2020, at the request of an official, a private audit firm advised on "internal audit and risk management".
The firm analysed the temple's financial management and data management systems and uncovered numerous deficiencies. It also detailed potential risks and suggested corrective measures. The firm stated that an SOP would ensure a systematic culture and process at all levels, which would be followed by all officials.
It also warned that unprofessional personnel and a lack of data management could lead to misleading information. The firm stated that the lack of a clear management framework at the implementation level was highly unprofessional. There were no systematic records related to donations. There was no level of oversight of transactions and data entry. Accountability needed to be established within a systematic structure.
For data accuracy and effective management, there must be coordination between the flow of transactions. A person associated with the Trust told Jagran that if SOPs had been established and records were organised, the lack of accounting for donated jewellery and cash could have been avoided.
The audit firm also expressed concern at the time about the mismanagement of donations and suggested that proper maintenance be necessary. The Trust employs approximately 1,500 employees, but there is no Human Resources (HR) department. The firm also commented on this. It also pointed out the need for qualified personnel for periodic bank reconciliation, accounting data entry, and MIS (Management Information System). Despite this, none of the suggestions were implemented.