Ayodhya temple donation theft: Eight arrested, including teacher and ex-mechanic
Eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations collected at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The arrests follow a First Information Report (FIR) registered on June 25 after a preliminary investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
According to the police, the accused worked as contract employees hired through an outsourcing agency and were involved in counting and handling cash offerings from devotees. Investigators allege that they exploited blind spots in the temple's surveillance system to siphon off money over a period of time.
The key accused is Avinash Shukla, a primary school teacher. Police sources told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that over Rs 20 lakh in cash, foreign currency, and jewellery were recovered from premises linked to him. During questioning, he allegedly described how cash was removed by using CCTV blind spots and temporarily hidden in washrooms before being taken out.
Anukalp Mishra, another accused, worked in the donation-counting unit through an outsourcing agency and earned around Rs 15,000 per month. Investigators are scrutinising assets allegedly linked to him, including a house worth approximately Rs 65 lakh, a farmhouse, a premium motorcycle, and a booked SUV. Around Rs 16.8 lakh in cash was reportedly recovered during searches.
Former automobile mechanic Lavkush Mishra, also a contract employee, is accused of participating in diverting donations. Approximately Rs 14.25 lakh in cash was allegedly recovered. Ramshankar Mishra, who handled cash inside the secure counting room, is accused of similar activities, with police claiming to have recovered around Rs 7.3 lakh from searches linked to him.
Ramshankar Yadav, known as Tinnu Yadav, is identified as one of the principal figures in the alleged conspiracy. He initially served as the personal driver of Champat Rai, general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and later became a trusted aide involved in temple administration and VIP management. Investigators allege he had unauthorised access to keys of the donation-counting room and donation boxes. Recovered WhatsApp chats are also being analysed.
The remaining accused include Manish Kumar Yadav, Tinnu Yadav's nephew and a member of the donation-counting team; Subhash Chandra Srivastava, a retired bank employee engaged by the trust to supervise donation counting; and Karunesh Pandey, a contract worker responsible for opening donation boxes and counting cash. Police allege all three played roles in the conspiracy, with more than Rs 18 lakh in cash allegedly recovered during searches linked to Pandey.
The trust has scheduled an emergency meeting for Monday to discuss the alleged irregularities. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, financial records, and digital evidence. They are also looking into claims that some of the accused amassed assets disproportionate to their known incomes.
