Claim
It has been proven that the Ram Mandir Trust knew about the donation theft before the police did, yet the Trust concealed the theft.
“अब तो यह साबित हो चुका है कि पुलिस से पहले राम मंदिर ट्रस्ट को चढ़ावा चोरी का पता था। जानकारी थी। लेकिन फिर भी ट्रस्ट ने चढ़ावा चोरी को छिपाया।”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
The claim has a factual kernel: SIT findings and SBI warnings indicate the Trust had knowledge or strong suspicion of the theft months before police registered an FIR (internal reporting in February, bank SOPs from 2024-25, SBI's staff-replacement advice allegedly blocked by Trust-linked members). However, the anchor's assertion that it is 'proven' the Trust deliberately concealed the theft overstates the evidence as of 2 July 2026: the SIT investigation was still ongoing, no chargesheet or court finding established concealment, and the Trust itself requested the SIT probe and filed the complaint that led to the FIR. Prior awareness plus delayed action is documented; proven deliberate concealment is not.
Evidence
- https://www.timesnowhindi.com/cities/ram-temple-donation-theft-sit-says-racket-was-active-for-2-3-years-what-does-20-page-report-reveal-article-154768819 SIT preliminary report says the Trust suspected theft well before the FIR — SOPs on counting were drawn up with the bank in Sept 2024 and Feb 2025, and CCTV showed ~70 theft instances over a racket active 2-3 years. Supports prior Trust awareness/suspicion, but as SIT findings, not an adjudicated fact. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/story/ram-mandir-donation-scam-sbi-flagged-cash-counting-staff-3-months-before-arrests-540273-2026-07-01 SBI recommended replacing cash-counting staff ~3 months before arrests; the replacement was allegedly halted after intervention by Trust-associated members — an allegation of inaction, not proven concealment. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.aajtak.in/india/news/story/ram-mandir-donation-scam-janmabhoomi-trust-complaint-sit-fir-ntc-rttm-dskc-2587467-2026-06-25 FIR against 8 accused was registered on 25 June 2026 based on the Trust's own complaint and SIT recommendation — the Trust itself initiated the formal complaint, cutting against a simple 'concealment' narrative. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.india.com/news/india/ram-temple-donation-row-explained-timeline-of-the-controversy-sit-probe-alleged-lapses-and-how-temple-donation-system-works-8458868/ Timeline explainer: UP government constituted the SIT on 14 June following a request from the Trust; theft reportedly first surfaced internally in February when a counting-team member reported it. ✗ unreachable · HTTP 403
- https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2026/07/02/ram-temple-donation-scam-cbi-probe.html As of the broadcast date (2 July 2026) the SIT probe was still ongoing with its deadline extended to 15 July — no final findings or court verdict existed yet. ✓ reachable · archived