Anil Mishra, a retired bureaucrat from Uttar Pradesh’s homoeopathic department, has been a prominent figure within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the construction and management of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. His involvement has recently been scrutinized due to allegations of financial mismanagement concerning donations intended for the temple’s development.
**Background of Anil Mishra**
Mishra’s dedication and loyalty to the RSS have propelled him to a position of considerable influence within the Sangh Parivar in Ayodhya. Over the years, he has become an indispensable figure, not only in the management of the Ram temple but also in the broader organizational activities of the RSS in the Awadh region.
**Allegations of Financial Mismanagement**
In recent times, Mishra has faced serious allegations concerning the mismanagement and potential embezzlement of funds donated for the Ram temple. Opposition leaders and whistleblowers have claimed that cash and jewelry offerings made by devotees have been misappropriated by temple staff under the trust’s supervision. These allegations have cast a shadow over the trust’s financial integrity and raised concerns about the transparency of its operations.
**Investigation and Resignations**
In response to these allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. The SIT interrogated Mishra and other trust members regarding the counting, storage, and utilization of cash donations, as well as the maintenance of corresponding records. While the SIT’s report has yet to be made public, the investigation has intensified scrutiny of the trust’s financial practices.
Amid mounting pressure, Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and Anil Mishra resigned from their positions on June 26, 2026, citing “moral grounds.” This development occurred shortly after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against eight individuals involved in the alleged embezzlement of donations. The FIR was registered based on a complaint by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, invoking provisions related to theft, criminal breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy. ([scroll.in](https://scroll.in/latest/1093854/ram-temple-trust-chief-resigns-on-moral-grounds-amid-donations-embezzlement-case-reports?utm_source=openai))
**Previous Controversies**
This is not the first time the Ram temple trust has faced allegations of financial irregularities. In 2021, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Samajwadi Party accused the trust of corruption in a land purchase deal for the temple. The parties alleged that land valued at Rs 5.8 crore was initially bought for Rs 2 crore and then sold to the trust for Rs 18.5 crore. The trust, however, denied these charges, asserting that the transactions were conducted transparently and at prices lower than the market rate.
**Implications for the RSS and the Trust**
Anil Mishra’s central role in these controversies has broader implications for the RSS and its affiliates. His prominence within the organization means that any allegations against him are likely to reflect on the RSS’s image and credibility. The trust’s management and its handling of donations are under intense scrutiny, and the outcomes of the ongoing investigations will be crucial in determining the future of the temple’s administration.
**Conclusion**
The situation surrounding Anil Mishra and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust underscores the challenges of managing large-scale religious projects with significant public involvement and financial contributions. It highlights the necessity for transparency, accountability, and ethical governance in such endeavors. As investigations continue, stakeholders await clarity on the allegations and the steps the trust will take to restore public trust and ensure the proper use of donations intended for the Ram temple’s construction and maintenance.
