Ayodhya Development Authority serves notice for illegal construction linked to Ram Temple donation case accused

Hindustan Times - India · 4 Jul 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Polity Mains · GS2 Governance High relevance

The Ayodhya Development Authority issued a notice for unauthorized construction by the wife of Lavkush Mishra, a key accused in the Ram Temple donation scam, highlighting governance and legal enforcement in religious institution management.

Key points

Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) served notice to Supriya Mishra for constructing a three-storey house without mandatory approvals in Banveerpur village, violating development authority laws.

The action follows state government directives to identify assets acquired by accused in the Ram Temple donation scam, where ₹5-7.5 crore were allegedly siphoned from temple offerings.

Lavkush Mishra, employed by a private agency to count temple donations, is among six arrested for alleged irregularities in handling cash and valuables from devotees.

The ADA has identified multiple properties linked to accused persons, with co-accused Anukalp Mishra's property in Kaushalpuri also under scrutiny for potential violations.

[GS2-Governance] This case underscores challenges in financial oversight of religious institutions and the need for robust auditing mechanisms to prevent misappropriation of funds.

The Supreme Court's November 2024 directive mandates 15-day prior notice before any demolition, ensuring due process is followed in such cases.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed on June 13 after SP leader Tej Narayan Pandey's allegations, conducting preliminary inquiries from June 15-20 that flagged prima facie irregularities.

[GS3-Economy] The case highlights the economic significance of religious donations in India, estimated at thousands of crores annually, requiring better financial governance frameworks.

Way Forward: Mandate real-time digital tracking of temple donations, establish independent auditing mechanisms for religious institutions, and strengthen building regulation enforcement through geospatial monitoring.

Key terms

Ayodhya Development Authority

The urban planning body responsible for regulating construction and development in Ayodhya, established under Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973. Its actions in this case demonstrate enforcement of building bylaws and urban governance challenges.

Special Investigation Team (SIT)

A dedicated team of investigators formed to probe complex cases, often comprising senior police officers. The SIT in this case was constituted to investigate financial irregularities in temple donations, reflecting institutional response to corruption allegations.

Building Bylaws

Regulations governing construction activities, including approvals, safety standards, and land use. Violations attract penalties under municipal laws, with this case showing enforcement challenges in peri-urban areas.

Article 300A

Constitutional provision guaranteeing the right to property, requiring due process before deprivation. While not absolute, it informs demolition procedures as referenced in the Supreme Court's 15-day notice requirement.