Ayodhya Temple Donation Scam: Police to Arrest Three More in Rs 15 Crore Theft Case
The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya has taken a significant turn. Ayodhya Police are preparing to seek custodial remand for three more individuals in connection with the case, according to officials familiar with the matter.
The police will move the court to obtain custody of Karunesh Pandey, Anukalp Mishra, and Lav Kush Mishra for detailed interrogation. This comes after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted a preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government, which found prima facie evidence of theft and pilferage during the counting of donations at the temple.
The SIT examined CCTV footage, statements from trust officials, bank officers, security personnel, and counting staff, along with bank records, seizure documents, the memorandum of understanding (MoU), and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The report states that CCTV footage from April 27 to June 5 repeatedly shows some counting personnel concealing bundles of currency notes and loose cash inside their clothes, pockets, shoes, and other hidden places. It also records instances where other employees appeared to assist or shield such activities.
According to the SIT, the footage documents around 70 instances of alleged theft or pilferage during the period under review. Based on employee statements and discrepancies between counted cash and bank deposits, the report suggests similar incidents may have occurred before April 27, though the absence of older CCTV footage prevented assessment of their full extent.
The report notes that prescribed security measures, including frisking, biometric attendance, restrictions on personal belongings, CCTV monitoring, and other safeguards provided under the trust's SOPs, were not effectively implemented.
Based on CCTV footage, recovery records, financial documents, and witness statements, the report identifies Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, and Ramashankar Mishra as having prima facie involvement. It states that Avinash Shukla and Manish Kumar Yadav were repeatedly seen removing or concealing cash, while the others were seen assisting or engaging in similar acts.
Meanwhile, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj announced that the resignations of Champat Rai as General Secretary and trustee Anil Mishra had been accepted following a Trust meeting.
