2 weeks ago
Ayodhya Land Deals Bring Profits to Political Associates
A news investigation looked at land sales near the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Some people connected to political parties or politicians bought land before selling it to the temple trust.
In several cases, the selling price was much higher than the original purchase price.
One woman’s land increased from Rs 9 lakh to Rs 98.2 lakh.
Another landowner sold property for Rs 50 lakh after buying it for Rs 13.3 lakh.
The people involved said they bought the land for their families or homes.
Some said they sold because the trust was buying nearby land or they could no longer easily use their property.
The Uttar Pradesh government ordered an investigation in 2021.
The investigation’s findings have not yet been released publicly.
Relatives and associates of politicians reportedly bought land in Bagh Bijaisi and later sold it to the Ram temple trust at substantially higher prices.
Vishwa Mohini Chaubey bought land for Rs 9 lakh in 2020 and sold it for Rs 98.2 lakh in 2025.
ABVP leader Mantosh Maurya sold land for Rs 50 lakh after purchasing it for Rs 13.3 lakh.
Land linked to a Samajwadi Party leader’s nephew and associates of a former BJP mayor also generated significant gains.
The Uttar Pradesh government formed an inquiry committee in 2021, but its findings have not been made public.
- Who
- Landowners connected to the Bharatiya Janata Party, Samajwadi Party and their associates, along with the Ram temple trust and Uttar Pradesh authorities.
- What
- An examination of land records found several cases in which politically connected people or associates bought land and later sold it to the Ram temple trust for substantially more.
- Where
- Bagh Bijaisi village in Ayodhya, about 3 km from the Ram temple.
- When
- The reported transactions occurred mainly between 2020 and 2025; the state inquiry was established in 2021.
- Why
- The land was sold as the trust acquired property for Teerth Kshetra Puram and other facilities; sellers gave reasons including investment, residential plans, devotion and loss of access to their land.
Investigation Findings and Concerns
Explanations from Landowners and Officials
Large price increases
Investigation Findings and Concerns
The investigation described repeated cases of land being purchased cheaply and later sold to the Ram temple trust for several times the original price, involving relatives or associates of political figures.
Explanations from Landowners and Officials
The people involved said the transactions were ordinary investments, residential purchases or sales made after the trust approached them or made nearby land difficult to access.
Political connections
Investigation Findings and Concerns
The report highlighted links to the BJP, Samajwadi Party and RSS-affiliated ABVP, as well as family or social connections involving the former BJP mayor’s associates.
Explanations from Landowners and Officials
Several individuals denied that their political or family connections affected the deals. Rishikesh Upadhyaya said the reported distant relationship with Ravi Mohan Tiwari was insignificant, while Ravindra Dube denied being Tiwari’s brother-in-law after initially confirming it.
Government oversight
Investigation Findings and Concerns
The Uttar Pradesh government’s inquiry was prompted by earlier reports of rapid, high-profit land resales, but its findings remain unpublished.
Explanations from Landowners and Officials
No public conclusion from the committee is available in the report, so the government investigation has not established wrongdoing in the cited transactions.
Key facts
- Village examined
- Bagh Bijaisi, about 3 km from the Ram temple
- Temple trust project
- Teerth Kshetra Puram, a campus used by BJP and RSS functionaries and temple visitors
- Largest cited increase
- Vishwa Mohini Chaubey’s land rose from Rs 9 lakh to Rs 98.2 lakh
- ABVP-linked transaction
- Mantosh Maurya bought land for Rs 13.3 lakh and sold it for Rs 50 lakh
- Former mayor associates
- Ravindra Dube sold part of gifted land to the trust for Rs 54.9 lakh
- Government response
- Uttar Pradesh appointed a one-man committee led by the state revenue secretary in 2021
- Inquiry status
- The committee’s findings had not been made public at the time of the report
Quotes
Rishikesh Upadhyaya
Former BJP mayor of Ayodhya
“"I bought the land for my children… After a point, I couldn’t access the property because of the trust’s acquisition in the area. I had to sell it to them after a year‑and‑a‑half of struggle."”
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“"I bought the land as an investment in my children’s future, but when the [Ram temple] trust bought all the land surrounding my property, I decided to sell it out of devotion to Shri Ram."”
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Sources
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