Indian police have arrested eight individuals accused of mishandling donations worth approximately 30 million rupees ($311,573) at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the country's most prominent Hindu shrine.
The arrests, launched in June, mark a significant escalation in the investigation into alleged embezzlement at the Ayodhya temple complex.
The probe targets personnel responsible for managing donor funds, raising questions about the financial governance of the trust that oversees the site.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had previously pledged a thorough internal review following allegations of misappropriation, confirming the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and other trustees in response to the scandal.
While the incident is primarily a matter of domestic governance and religious administration, it underscores the scrutiny facing large-scale religious institutions in India as they manage billions in annual donations.
The trust has moved to distance itself from the accused, with Treasurer Govind Dev Giri meeting with former General Secretary Rai, who reportedly remains supportive of the new management despite his resignation.