New Delhi | Updated: June 26, 2026
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday raised questions over the alleged disappearance of a 4-kg silver brick donated by the party for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
In a post on X, Raut claimed that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had donated ₹1 crore along with the silver brick during the temple construction process. He said the donation was made in the presence of thousands of Shiv Sainiks and saints.
Raut alleged that despite the donation, there has been no receipt or update from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust regarding the silver brick. He demanded a full investigation and accountability in the matter.
“Serious questions over the missing 4 kg silver brick donated by Shiv Sena for the Ram Mandir construction in Ayodhya,” Raut wrote, asking where the offering had gone.
His remarks come amid an ongoing investigation into alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Raut also targeted the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Ram Mandir donation controversy. He alleged that no action would be taken against those linked to the alleged scam.
An FIR was registered on Thursday in connection with the alleged misappropriation of temple donations. The case has been filed under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections related to theft, criminal breach of trust, dishonestly receiving stolen property, and criminal conspiracy.
The FIR names Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav, Manish Yadav, and others. The case was registered after former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey alleged that ₹7 crore to ₹7.5 crore in donations had been misappropriated from the Ram Mandir.
Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member Special Investigation Team on June 14 after a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Trust.
Meanwhile, all eight people named in the FIR have been arrested. The complaint was lodged by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, based on recommendations made in the SIT’s preliminary report.
According to officials, the arrested accused were associated with counting cash and valuables received as donations at the temple. They were arrested in Ayodhya late Thursday night and are being questioned.
Police are preparing to produce them before a magistrate as the investigation continues.
