SIT Report: Temple Donation Theft Mastermind Identified in Ayodhya
A preliminary report by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has identified Avinash Shukla as the prime accused in the alleged theft of devotees' offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Sources said the SIT linked him to a suspected 40-day racket involving nearly 70 instances of pilferage from the donation-counting system.
The interim findings were discussed during a meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday, sources associated with the temple said. According to the preliminary report, Shukla, who was engaged to count cash offerings at the temple, has been named accused No. 1 after investigators cited what they described as the strongest evidence trail against him.
The report said the alleged operation revolved around Shukla, helping investigators identify five other accused and reconstruct the suspected modus operandi inside the temple's counting room. The nine-page report, submitted to Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad on June 23, described the 30-year-old as the focal point of the investigation.
The SIT has, prima facie, identified nearly 70 instances of alleged theft from the counting room over a span of around 40 days. Repeated examination of CCTV camera footage allegedly showed Shukla removing and concealing bundles of donation cash and loose currency notes during counting operations on multiple occasions. Investigators relied extensively on the footage to trace the movement of money and identify the alleged roles of other participants.
The evidence against Shukla was corroborated by CCTV footage, recovery records, bank account analysis, and witness statements, making him the first among six accused whose prima facie involvement has been established. The footage also allegedly showed Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, and Karunesh Pandey assisting Shukla in concealing and removing donation money, while Manish Kumar Yadav was allegedly coordinating with him inside the counting room. Separate footage provided by temple trust representatives allegedly showed Rama Shankar Mishra handling and concealing cash bundles.
Based on the material examined, the SIT concluded that the prima facie involvement of all six accused stands established. During searches conducted by Ayodhya police, investigators recovered Rs 20.39 lakh in cash, USD 1,121, gold and silver ornaments, other valuables, and an SUV from Shukla's possession — the largest recovery from any accused in the case. Investigators also found cash deposits and bank transactions allegedly disproportionate to Shukla's known income. Personnel hired by the trust for counting donations receive a monthly salary of a little over Rs 15,000, whereas Shukla's banking activity prior to his arrest was substantially higher.
Shukla was the first accused to be taken on police remand. During searches at his residence, police recovered a donation box bearing the inscription 'Ramrajya Kosh' with an active QR code. Police have also searched his native residence in Pratapgarh district and are examining his properties and financial transactions over the last few years. Eight people have so far been arrested in connection with the case: Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Rama Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Rama Shankar alias Tinnu.
