The handling of large quantities of silver donated to the Ram Temple has come under scrutiny as authorities examine the financial records of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following recent allegations of donation misappropriation. Sources said questions are being raised over the reported expenditure of around Rs 21 lakh to transport, test and melt more than 900 kg of donated silver into bricks for easier storage and upkeep.

According to officials, silver received in different forms was transported under security to the government-run Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd in Hyderabad. More than Rs 1 lakh was reportedly spent on safely transporting the large quantity of silver, while around Rs 20 lakh was spent on checking impurities, testing purity and melting the metal into bricks. Police are now reportedly verifying the expenditure and the procedures followed during the process.

Sources said the Trust was informed during meetings held in November 2024 and March 2025 that slightly less than 1,000 kg of silver donated in various forms had been sent to the Hyderabad facility. After the metal was melted and impurities were removed, the total quantity reportedly came down to around 900 kg. Samples taken during testing were said to have shown that the donated silver had an average purity of nearly 90 per cent.

Also Read: After Ayodhya Row, Badrinath Temple Donation Theft Claims Trigger Official Probe And Scrutiny

Investigators are also examining how other precious ornaments and offerings received by the Trust were handled. Sources said previous Trust meetings had discussed the need to establish a separate and accountable system inside the main Ram Temple complex for devotees wishing to donate valuable ornaments. Suggestions were also made to ensure that donors seeking receipts for such offerings could use a clearly monitored and documented process.

The scrutiny has also raised questions about security arrangements around the donation counting process. Sources said a high-level security review was conducted around a month and a half ago to strengthen arrangements at the temple complex. However, despite increased security and additional personnel at several locations, security immediately outside the counting room reportedly remained in the hands of a private security guard, with no X-ray machine installed there.

Some Trust members are now expected to raise the issue again during a meeting scheduled for Monday. They are likely to demand a stronger and fully accountable system for collecting, counting and depositing donations, along with procedures that can be made public to restore devotees’ confidence. Authorities are continuing to verify the claims related to the silver processing expenditure and examine the wider system used for handling valuable donations and offerings.

Also Read: Priest Criticises Swami Prasad Maurya Over Ram Mandir Donation Theft Case Remarks