Ram Temple Trust orders pocketless dress code for priests after donation fraud

The Story in Brief

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has ordered a new uniform dress code for priests at Ayodhya's Ram Temple, effective August 15. Sources told Times Now that priests must wear unstitched yellow silk in summer and woollen clothes in winter, with the colour remaining constant. Religious committee member Rajkumar Das confirmed the decision, citing ritual purity as the reason for silk.

The move comes amid a row over alleged embezzlement of donations. A special investigation team set up by the Uttar Pradesh government has proposed pocketless uniforms for counting staff, videography of the process, and weekly audits. On July 19, the SIT submitted a status report in a sealed cover to the Supreme Court. A local court on Monday extended judicial custody of eight accused in the theft case by 14 days. Separately, the Trust has completed interviews for a new CEO, with 16 candidates including retired officers.