Salman Khurshid demands accountability in Ram Mandir donation scandal

“Can there be a greater tragedy?” asked Congress leader Salman Khurshid, as he urged the government to make a public example of those accused of embezzling donations intended for the Ram Temple. His remarks come amidst mounting legal pressure and allegations of financial misconduct surrounding the Ayodhya project.

Editorial·June 23, 2026·reads: 2,570

Salman Khurshid demands accountability in Ram Mandir donation scandal

The controversy centers on claims made by former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey, who alleged that between 7 crore and 7.5 crore rupees were misappropriated from temple funds. While the Uttar Pradesh government previously formed a three-member Special Investigation Team to probe the matter, petitioners are now seeking a court-monitored investigation led by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav filed a fresh petition with the Supreme Court, arguing that the existing state-led inquiry lacks the necessary scope to ensure transparency. They have requested the preservation of all digital and financial records, including audit reports and CCTV footage, to prevent the potential destruction of evidence. Khurshid, who maintained his support for the original Supreme Court ruling on the site, insisted that the government must protect the sanctity of the temple by holding the trustees accountable for the funds collected from millions of devotees.