Twenty-three employees responsible for counting donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya have resigned simultaneously, citing a sharp increase in workload without any corresponding increase in salary. The resignations come amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged donation theft case, which has intensified scrutiny of the temple's donation management system.

The employees said changes in the pattern of donations following the alleged theft have significantly slowed the counting process. According to them, offerings now contain a much higher volume of ₹10 and ₹20 notes, replacing the larger denomination currency notes that were previously more common.

Earlier, staff members used to prepare 70 to 80 bundles of ₹500 notes during a shift, allowing the counting process to be completed relatively quickly. They now manage only around 15 bundles of ₹500 notes, while processing a substantially larger number of smaller denomination notes, increasing the time required to complete the work.

Longer Working Hours Trigger Resignations

The resigning employees also alleged that their working hours have increased following changes in the counting schedule.

According to the staff, donation counting was previously carried out in two shifts, with each employee working approximately six hours. The system has now been replaced with a single shift running from 9 am to 6 pm, extending working hours without any revision in wages.

They said the increased workload, combined with unchanged salaries, compelled them to submit their resignations. Following the resignations, only 13 donation-counting employees remain with the bank responsible for handling the temple's offerings.

Supreme Court to Hear Case on July 13

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Ram Temple donation theft case on July 13. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant will take up three petitions related to the matter.

The petitions seek a CBI investigation, constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the formation of an expert committee to review the management of donations and related administrative systems at the temple.

The hearing comes as investigations into the alleged misappropriation of donations continue and several accused remain under judicial custody.

Investigation Continues

Police have already arrested multiple accused in connection with the alleged donation theft. During recent custodial interrogation, investigators reportedly recovered cash, jewellery and a vehicle allegedly linked to the case. Authorities have also seized documents relating to property transactions as part of the ongoing investigation.

The accused are expected to be produced before the court after the completion of their custody period, while investigators continue to examine financial transactions and other evidence connected to the alleged theft.

Political Reactions Intensify

The case has triggered political reactions across party lines. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to hear the matter and called for an independent investigation. He questioned why an FIR had not initially been registered before the Special Investigation Team began its inquiry.

Congress leaders also demanded an impartial probe, alleging that the investigation should be monitored independently. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while addressing a public gathering in Basti, accused opposition parties of politicising issues related to the Ram Temple and defended his government's handling of Ayodhya's development.

Concern Beyond India

The controversy has also drawn attention from Janaki Temple in Janakpur, Nepal, traditionally regarded as the maternal home of Goddess Sita.

Mahant Roshan Das expressed concern over the alleged donation theft, describing the development as deeply distressing. He said such an incident had never been associated with a temple dedicated to Lord Ram and urged strict action against those found responsible. A delegation from Janakpur is expected to visit Ayodhya during the holy month of Shravan to offer prayers and express solidarity.

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the matter next week, the donation theft case continues to raise questions about financial oversight, security and administrative management at one of India's most prominent religious sites.

The controversy over alleged donation irregularities at the Ram Temple took a new turn on Saturday after temple authorities formally requested Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to order a Special Investigation Team probe. The demand comes as investigators recovered ₹10 lakh in cash from the residence of a temple employee who had allegedly concealed the money beneath a pile of cow dung.

Lavkush Mishra, a 27-year-old employee responsible for counting donation offerings at the shrine, is now under the scanner. A search team visited his residence in Minapur Thakuran Phagauli village, Rudauli area, where they found the stash hidden inside cupboards, boxes, and partially buried under dried cow dung.

Cow Dung Discovery

The search party comprised six individuals, including two in police uniform and four in plain clothes, according to village residents. Mishra's father, Bacchulal, confirmed the recovery but stopped short of claiming ownership of the cash.

"What had to happen has now happened. During the search, ₹10 lakh was recovered," the father told reporters. He added that a house being constructed in Faizabad had no connection to his son, claiming he had mortgaged 10-12 bighas of farmland to fund that project.

From Mechanic to Temple Employee

Villagers recall that Mishra, who previously worked as a car mechanic, experienced a sharp improvement in his financial situation after joining the temple four to five months ago. Locals said he would spend generously during village visits—on one occasion reportedly treating fellow villagers with ₹50,000 worth of liquor.

Mishra married eight years ago and has two children—a six-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter. His father works at the iron market in Ghaziabad.

Trust Moves Fast

Nripendra Mishra, chairman of the temple's construction committee, arrived in Ayodhya on Saturday for the second time within five days. When questioned by reporters about whether the donation controversy would feature in discussions, he deflected, stating his responsibility remained overseeing construction progress.

Sources familiar with the matter said the trust's letter to the chief minister seeks a thorough investigation into the alleged theft of offerings, which some claims have pegged at around ₹7 crore. The exact scale remains unverified.

Old Complaints Surface

The row gained traction after Mahipal Singh, who claims to have served as the temple's accounts in-charge, alleged that theft of offerings was routine. He said he was removed from his post the day after reporting irregularities to trust general secretary Champat Rai.

Singh also claimed that eight-month-old CCTV footage was deleted and that no proper records existed for gold, silver, and jewellery received as offerings. His assertions have found support from some saints and seers in Ayodhya, who are now demanding a probe.

Political Fallout

Opposition leaders have seized on the developments. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned why private companies were involved in counting temple offerings and why CCTV footage remains unavailable. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak hit back, accusing Yadav of spreading rumours and disrespecting Supreme Court verdicts.

The recovered cash has been sent for examination, though officials have yet to determine whether it originated from temple donations. Meanwhile, the trust has not issued any formal statement on Mishra's employment status.

Viral video shows staff clicking photos with saree-clad visitor despite ban on photography inside Ujjain temple premises

A young man dressed as Allu Arjun’s character from the film Pushpa — complete with saree, blouse, payal, lemon garland, and bangles — walked into the Mahakal temple here for a VIP darshan, triggering a row over security lapses. The incident, which took place on February 5, came to light after videos surfaced on social media over the weekend.

The temple management has since removed a supervisor after an internal inquiry.

Viral visuals show protocol breach

In the clips circulating on Instagram and Facebook, the man is seen moving through different parts of the temple complex. A staff member escorts him to the Ganesh Mandapam, treating him like a VIP devotee. Security personnel and temple committee employees did not stop him. Instead, they posed for photographs with him.

Photography and videography are strictly prohibited inside the Mahakal temple premises. The responsibility of enforcing this ban lies with the very staff and guards who are now seen violating it.

What the video shows

The young man is dressed in a saree and blouse, with payal on his feet, a lemon garland and necklace around his neck, tops in his ears, a nose ring, and bangles on his wrists. He mimics the mannerisms of the Pushpa character in several clips.

According to sources familiar with the matter, he did not enter like an ordinary pilgrim. He was given special access, something regular devotees are not entitled to. The videos also show him filming himself inside the temple, which is not allowed for common visitors.

Social media backlash

The visuals, uploaded from an account named Ankit Astoliya on Instagram and Facebook, quickly went viral. Several other videos in the same outfit are available on that profile.

Users have criticised the temple administration for allowing such conduct. Many questioned how the man managed to enter with a full costume and accessories without being stopped at any checkpoint. Others pointed out that the staff’s willingness to take selfies with him shows a casual approach to protocol.

Official action taken

Mahakal temple administrator Pratham Kaushik confirmed that the video dates back to February 5. “After the visuals came to our notice, an inquiry was conducted. The concerned supervisor has been removed from his post,” he said.

Kaushik added that granting special permission to anyone inside the temple premises, or allowing photography and videography, goes against the established rules and decorum of the shrine.

Prior restrictions on photography

This is not the first time the Mahakal temple has faced controversy over mobile phone use. While devotees are routinely asked to deposit their phones before entering, instances of unauthorised recording have been reported earlier as well. The latest incident has once again raised questions about enforcement of existing rules.

Sources indicate that the temple trust may now review its security deployment and issue fresh guidelines to prevent such breaches in the future.

Tirupati Laddu Row: Panel Flags Ghee Irregularities

The Tirupati laddu controversy deepens as a member committee report alleges 70 lakh kg ghee was procured without mandatory checks, raising concerns over safety and governance.

Massive procurement lapses

Hyderabad: A member inquiry committee has flagged serious irregularities in the procurement of ghee used in the iconic Tirupati laddu prasadam, pointing to systemic failures within the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The panel’s findings suggest that nearly 70 lakh kilograms of ghee was purchased without adhering to mandatory quality checks, with some batches reportedly used even before laboratory verification.

According to officials familiar with the report, these lapses were not isolated. The committee has described the issue as indicative of deeper administrative breakdowns and possible collusion among stakeholders involved in the procurement chain.

Adulteration concerns flagged

The report notes that several ghee samples tested positive for Sitosterol, a compound typically associated with vegetable oil adulteration. A lab report dated August 3, 2022, had already indicated contamination. However, the committee observed that no decisive action followed.

Despite evidence pointing to adulteration, the procurement process continued uninterrupted. Suppliers linked to questionable batches were neither blacklisted nor penalised, raising concerns about enforcement gaps.

Officials said the continued use of such ghee directly compromised both public health and religious sanctity, given the laddu’s significance for devotees visiting the Tirumala temple.

Former EO under scanner

The panel has held former TTD Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy primarily responsible for weakening procurement safeguards. It alleges that tender rules were diluted under his watch, allowing questionable suppliers to remain in the system.

The report also claims that despite confirmed adulteration, no corrective steps were initiated. However, Dharma Reddy has earlier maintained that all procurement decisions were taken collectively and in accordance with contractual norms.

Tender norms diluted

One of the key findings relates to the structure of the procurement process itself. The committee observed that unusually low bids were accepted, often making it economically unviable to supply pure ghee.

In several instances, prices were reportedly revised downward through informal negotiations after tenders were finalised — a move that contravenes standard procedures. The panel believes this created an environment where adulteration became more likely.

Additionally, mandatory food safety protocols were allegedly ignored. Even after Sitosterol testing became compulsory from July 1, 2022, it was not fully integrated into TTD’s procurement practices during that period.

Network and supply chain issues

The committee has also pointed to the presence of an organised network. According to its findings, a major supplier continued operations through intermediary dairies even after being disqualified.

This workaround, the panel noted, exposed significant loopholes in monitoring mechanisms. It suggests that enforcement failures allowed such practices to persist without scrutiny.

Wider accountability questioned

The inquiry has widened its scope beyond administrative officials. The role of the purchase committee is under examination, with allegations against political figures including Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and Bhumana Karunakar Reddy.

The report states that decisions taken collectively by the committee contributed to the dilution of safeguards. Both leaders, along with other members, were part of the decision-making process that allegedly relaxed tender norms.

Political backdrop

The controversy gained traction after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of allowing adulterated ghee to be used in laddu preparation between 2019 and 2024.

The YSRCP, however, has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated, calling for an impartial review of the findings.

Next steps awaited

The committee, formed in February 2026 and led by retired IAS officer Dinesh Kumar, has recommended strict disciplinary action against those found responsible. It has also called for systemic reforms to plug procedural gaps and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

While the report has laid out a detailed account of alleged irregularities, no major action has been publicly announced so far. Officials indicated that further review and consultations are likely before any punitive measures are taken.

The Tirupati laddu controversy continues to draw attention, with its implications spanning faith, governance, and food safety — issues that are unlikely to fade soon.