Claim
The SIT suspects that large-scale theft of donations also took place during the Mahakumbh period, and this will also be investigated.
“एसआईटी को शक है कि महाकुंभ के दौरान भी बड़े पैमाने पर चढ़ावे में चोरी हुई है। उसकी भी जांच की जाएगी।”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
As of the July 2, 2026 broadcast, multiple independent outlets (The Federal, TV9, India TV, ETV Bharat) reported that the SIT probing the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft suspected large-scale siphoning of offerings during the Mahakumbh 2025 period — since donations did not rise in proportion to the record crowds — and had widened its ongoing investigation to cover Mahakumbh-period donation records. The anchor's statement accurately reflects the SIT's stated suspicion and expanded probe; no fact-checker rebuttal was found. Minor caveat: details rest on police/SIT sources cited in media, not a published SIT report.
Evidence
- https://desh.thefederal.com/state/ram-mandir-donation-theft-sit-returns-lucknow-mahakumbh-donation-pattern-247455 The Federal (June 21, 2026): SIT probing Ram Mandir donation theft is examining donation patterns during Mahakumbh 2025, suspecting offerings did not match record crowds — i.e., large-scale theft during that period is under investigation. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.indiatvnews.com/uttar-pradesh/when-did-the-ram-temple-see-the-maximum-donation-thefts-here-what-sources-reveal-latest-updates-2026-07-01-1046738 India TV (July 1, 2026): sources say offerings surged during/after the Prayagraj Mahakumbh (Jan 13–Feb 26, 2025) and the maximum theft occurred then, with Rs 10–15 lakh allegedly siphoned daily; SIT widened its probe to donation records from the Mahakumbh period. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.tv9hindi.com/india/ram-mandir-donation-case-biggest-theft-during-mahakumbh-ed-to-investigate-now-3836984.html TV9 Hindi: reports the biggest theft in the Ram Mandir donation case took place during the Mahakumbh, with the ED also being brought in to probe the money trail. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/state/sit-probe-into-ayodhya-offering-theft-case-extended-15-days-ups26070102551 ETV Bharat (July 1, 2026): SIT probing the Ayodhya offering-theft case got a 15-day extension and its scope was expanded to the full donation process, account books and questioning of trust officials. ✓ reachable · archived