Daijiworld Media Network - Ayodhya
Ayodhya, Jul 18: The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir has expanded, with police examining all individuals involved in the temple's daily operations. Eight people have been arrested so far, while investigators are also looking into the role of senior Trust functionaries, government officials, and financial transactions related to the temple's construction and land purchases.
According to police sources, around 50 people were engaged in counting cash donations made by devotees. They were reportedly recruited on the recommendations of Trust office-bearers or persons associated with the Trust. Investigators are now verifying their backgrounds, checking for assets disproportionate to their known sources of income, and examining their possible involvement in the alleged fraud.
Police said CCTV footage has provided crucial evidence against six of the eight accused. The footage allegedly shows them concealing bundles of currency notes in their clothes, pockets and shoes while counting donations at the Pilgrim Facilitation Centre.
An FIR was registered on June 25 following a complaint by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Those arrested have been identified as Avinash Shukla, Lavkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav, and Subhash Srivastava.
Police said Tinnu Yadav is a former driver of former Trust general secretary Champat Rai and allegedly supervised the temple's donation boxes, while his nephew Manish Yadav was involved in counting the offerings.
Earlier, investigators recovered Rs 1 lakh from Tinnu Yadav's residence and Rs 2 lakh from Manish Yadav's house. Police are expected to take both accused to various locations during their remand to recover additional cash and valuables, verify properties allegedly purchased using siphoned-off funds, and gather further evidence.
Before seeking the custody of Tinnu and Manish, police had questioned the six other accused during custodial remand. Investigators have also submitted before the court cash, jewellery, and property-related documents recovered after questioning former bank employees Subhash Srivastava and Ramashankar Mishra.
The alleged theft of donations came to light in the first week of June and has resulted in eight arrests and the resignation of two senior Trust functionaries. Opposition parties have announced that they intend to raise the issue during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, scheduled to commence on July 20.