SIT Report Reveals Detailed Modus Operandi in Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft

Fresh details have emerged on how crores of rupees in cash donations were allegedly stolen from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case has submitted an interim report revealing the modus operandi used by the accused.

According to the report, temple counting staff would cover CCTV cameras while an accomplice stole cash from donation bundles. The stolen money was initially hidden in toilets within the temple complex before being smuggled out.

Another method involved inserting extra notes into cash bundles. When tallying, staff counted the number of bundles but not the notes in each, generating a voucher for the inflated amount. Later, the extra notes were removed, and the siphoned cash was divided among the participants elsewhere.

The SIT's interim report states that 70 theft incidents were captured on hidden cameras between April 27 and June 5 this year. The alleged racket is believed to have been operating since the temple opened in January 2024.

Eight individuals have been arrested, including six temple staff responsible for counting cash: Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu. Rs 10 lakh was earlier recovered from Mishra's house.

Two temple trust officials, Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, resigned on moral grounds. The SIT report also mentions that some counting staff secured their jobs through recommendations, and the names of several bank officials have surfaced during interrogations.

While reports suggest Rs 7-7.5 crore may have gone missing, an official figure is awaited. Around Rs 70 lakh in cash has been recovered so far, and officials say the final amount may be higher.