# Congress, SP slam delay in Ram temple donation theft chargesheet

2026-09-22T07:21:55+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Congress and Samajwadi Party have attacked the delay in filing a chargesheet in the Ram temple donation theft case, with the Supreme Court-appointed SIT saying it will file by September 25. The probe has found 105 CCTV-captured donation theft incidents, up from 70 in the preliminary report. The SIT also verified 803 valuable items, finding them secured in an SBI locker with no discrepancies in silver bricks or other high-value offerings. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP of protecting "big fish" and demanded a forensic audit of the donation system. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged BJP leaders' involvement is widely discussed in Ayodhya and called the next election a "war to save religion." Eight people have been arrested so far. If the chargesheet is not filed by September 25, accused may get default bail under criminal procedure law.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The Congress and SP both frame the donation theft as a breach of faith under BJP management, but they differ in target. The Congress attack is pointed at the Modi government and the delay in filing chargesheet, while SP links the BJP's organisational network in Ayodhya. Neither source reports the SIT's verification that valuable items remain secure in an SBI locker, a fact that complicates the theft narrative. The key date now is September 25, when default bail becomes available unless the chargesheet is filed.

## Coverage

- thehindu.com (government critical) <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ram-ka-naam-badnam-na-karo-congress-slams-delay-in-filing-chargesheet-in-ram-temple-donation-theft-case/article71494276.ece>
  Leads with Congress's song-parody attack, highlights PM Modi's silence, omits SIT finding that valuables are secure
- nationalheraldindia.com (neutral report) <https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/congress-questions-delay-in-ram-temple-donation-theft-chargesheet>
  Reports SIT finding valuables secured but also Congress's demands, balanced wire-style update
- newindianexpress.com (government critical) <https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/uttar-pradesh/2026/Sep/22/105-instances-of-theft-at-ram-temple-bjp-involved-in-wrongdoing-akhilesh-yadav>
  Leads with SP chief calling BJP involvement a 'dharam yudh', frames as political betrayal

Tags: Ayodhya, BJP, Congress, Jairam Ramesh, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Supreme Court of India
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