India, July 2 -- The Uttar Pradesh Police has alleged that during the Kumbh Mela in early 2025, a large portion of the donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya were embezzled. According to police, some of the arrested in connection with the row had previously committed petty thefts. However, the size of offerings during the pilgrimage gave them a chance to work together on a larger misappropriation.

During the Kumbh Mela, many devotees visited the temple, filling donation boxes at with cash, gold, and other valuables. Police say the accused, some of whom were already involved in handling donations, took advantage of weak oversight and procedural gaps to pocket far more than on earlier occasions.

So far, eight temple employees hav...