Allegations put six under SIT Scrutiny

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New Delhi: An alleged Rs 200-crore donation theft scandal at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya has sparked an intensive investigation after two individuals were detained and large sums of cash were reportedly recovered. With six people now under scrutiny, the controversy has evolved into a major political and administrative issue.

The alleged financial irregularities came to light following a routine audit and scrutiny of CCTV footage at the temple. The controversy erupted on June 7 when Samajwadi Party leader and former minister Pawan Pandey alleged that at least Rs five crore had been stolen from the temple's donation boxes.

The temple complex reportedly contains around six donation boxes, and nearly 50 employees are involved in the counting process. The donation counting operation is carried out under CCTV surveillance.

According to the allegations, significant theft occurred during the Mahakumbh period in Prayagraj, when a large number of pilgrims also visited Ayodhya. It is claimed that Rs 10-15 lakh was siphoned off daily from donation collections during that period. Investigators suspect that money may have been removed either before or during the counting process.

Recoveries, Detentions

Media reports claimed that Rs 10 lakh was recovered from the residence of Lavkush Mishra, an employee of the temple trust. The cash was allegedly hidden inside a heap of cow dung. However, authorities have not yet confirmed whether the recovered money originated from the temple donations. Lavkush Mishra and Anukalp Mishra, another employee, are currently being questioned.

According to reports, Lavkush, who worked as a car mechanic until five months ago, was recruited to the temple by his brother-in-law Anukalp Mishra and later assigned to the cash-counting team. Both were reportedly involved in counting currency notes and allegedly experienced a sudden improvement in their financial condition.

Focus on Yadav

One of the most prominent names in the investigation is Ram Shankar, popularly known as Tinnu Yadav. He reportedly worked as an auto-rickshaw driver before becoming associated with the Ram Temple movement. Over time, he is said to have become close to temple trust general secretary Champat Rai.

Allegations suggest that Yadav had access to the temple's VVIP gate and was connected with the handling of donation collections. He has also been accused of facilitating the deletion of eight months of CCTV footage in 2021 after earlier allegations of financial irregularities surfaced.

Some media reports claim that Yadav purchased multiple parcels of land, built a new house, and constructed a hostel that was later rented out. Reports further suggest that he was responsible for transporting donation money from the temple to the bank.

Yadav has denied all allegations, stating that he had no role in donation counting. According to him, his responsibilities were limited to sanitation, water arrangements, and installation of fans and other facilities. He maintained that he purchased land in 2008 through earnings from operating Auto rickshaw and later built a hostel from legitimate income.

It has also been alleged that Manish Yadav, his nephew, was appointed to the temple workforce. Investigators reportedly recovered cash from Anukalp Mishra's residence based on information linked to Manish Yadav.

D.K. Tiwari, who allegedly supervised donations received in the form of gold, silver, and other precious metals, is also under scrutiny. Rajesh Pathak, a resident of Khale Purwa in Ayodhya and a member of the currency-counting staff, is being investigated as well. Reports suggest that his lifestyle changed significantly over the past five to six years.

Modus Operandi

Temple-linked personnel reportedly supervise the counting process, while the State Bank of India assists in cash counting and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) conducts audits. Donation money is stored overnight in temple lockers and deposited in banks the following morning. The entire process is monitored through CCTV cameras.

Investigators are examining allegations that some individuals colluded with bank personnel to siphon off money. One alleged method involved preparing bundles labeled as containing 100 notes while actually including 150 notes, then removing the extra notes before the bundles were locked away.

According to allegations circulating in local and media circles, temple authorities had become aware of possible thefts earlier but did not register an FIR. Instead, an informal internal inquiry was reportedly conducted. It is claimed that two individuals were questioned and approximately Rs two crore was recovered before the matter became public. Another allegation is that an employee who complained about the theft of offerings was subsequently dismissed.

The controversy prompted Ram Temple Construction Committee chairman Nripendra Mishra to visit Ayodhya twice within five days, beginning on June 9. On June 10, the Prime Minister's Office reportedly sought a report from the temple trust.

SIT questions top trust officials

Ayodhya (UP): The SIT formed by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe allegations of theft of donation money at the Ram temple and financial mismanagement at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust questioned trust general secretary Champat Rai and administrator Gopal Rao here on Wednesday, official sources said.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) also quizzed those involved in money counting and keeping the records of the trust.

Both Rai and Rao were questioned about the donation money, the arrangements inside the temple and the people associated with it, the sources said.

Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General (IG) Kiran S and Special Secretary, Finance, Neel Ratan, who are part of the SIT, conducted separate questioning with Rai and Rao, the sources said, adding that during this time, officials associated with security agencies were kept away.

Besides CCTV footage, the team examined several records. It inspected the donation boxes, counted the number of boxes and took the records of the entire process into its possession.

Pant, who is heading the SIT, inspected the room on the ground floor in front of the sanctum sanctorum of Ramlala, where the jewellery and other metals received in donation are kept, and questioned trust worker Krishnadev Tiwari, who handles its responsibility.

The SIT members were present on the Ram Janmabhoomi premises until evening.

Officials said the SIT was told that about 40 personnel associated with the trust, the State Bank of India and the collection agency are involved in counting the cash, who work in two shifts.

Three persons have got complaints lodged at different police stations, demanding the registration of an FIR over the matter, but no case has so far been registered by police so far.

Meanwhile, the temple trust has also maintained silence over the issue.

On Tuesday, Dharm Sena leader Santosh Dubey and Uttar Pradesh Youth Congress vice-president Sharad Shukla got a complaint lodged in the matter at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station.

Karni Sena national president Surajpal Ammu, holding a press conference here, questioned why an FIR has not been registered in the matter and when will bulldozers run over the houses of those who allegedly stole the donation money.

“There has been a complaint regarding donations and offerings. An SIT probe is underway. Whoever has misused the money offered to Lord Ram will not be spared. Recovery will also be made from the guilty. If anyone has committed wrongdoing in Ayodhya, Hanuman ji Maharaj's 'gada' will strike them.”

Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy CM, UP