Ram Mandir Trust Faces 40% Commission Allegations; Engineer’s Claims Spark Major Controversy

Fresh allegations have emerged against the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in connection with ongoing controversy around the Ram Mandir construction, with a retired engineer making serious claims about alleged financial irregularities during work at the temple complex.

Retired engineer Deenanath Verma, who earlier worked in a supervisory role during construction activities at the site, has alleged that senior Trust functionary Dr Anil Mishra allegedly demanded a 40 per cent commission from a contractor linked to the construction of the Trust office building. Verma made these claims during an interview that has been circulating on social media platforms, where he described that an aluminium contractor involved in the project was allegedly asked to pay the commission, and that the project estimate and billing were reportedly increased by the same proportion to adjust for the alleged payment arrangement.

In the same interview, Verma also claimed that he raised objections regarding the alleged demand and brought the matter to the attention of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai. He further stated that he played an audio recording of the alleged conversation before Champat Rai, but according to him, no action was taken thereafter. Verma alleged that instead of being heard further, he was removed from the project. He also referred to Ravi Gupta, who was associated with construction work at the time, during his statements made in the social media-circulated interview. These allegations come shortly after another individual, Tinnu Yadav, had also earlier raised separate accusations against senior members associated with the Trust.

Following these claims, contractor Ravi Gupta responded in a live broadcast on social media, rejecting the allegations made by Verma. Gupta stated that the claims against Dr Anil Mishra were completely false and not supported by any factual basis. He clarified that he had initially submitted a quotation for the Trust office construction work at the Ram Kachahri temple complex, but said he did not receive any response at that stage. According to Gupta, he later learned that the work had been assigned to another person by Verma, and that the project remained incomplete. He further stated that he was later called back, fresh measurements were taken, and a revised quotation was prepared before he completed the work. In his statement during the live broadcast, Gupta said, “I personally executed the work. At no stage was there any discussion about commission,” and challenged Verma to present evidence publicly if he had any proof of wrongdoing.

Separately, Mahant Shashikant Das of the Ram Kachahri Char Dham Temple and president of the Saryu Nitya Aarti Committee issued a clarification distancing himself from the controversy. In his statement, Das said that he had only provided his newly constructed building free of cost to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for use as a camp office, following a request from then Ayodhya District Magistrate Anuj Jha, Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, and other officials. He clarified that no rent or payment was ever charged for the premises. He also stated that the camp office was later shifted to Ram Niwas and the Trust subsequently vacated the building. Das further said that he does not know Deenanath Verma and has never met him, adding that he has no information about the construction work or the commission-related allegations being made.

As of now, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has not issued any official response to the allegations raised by the retired engineer.