Trust knew before public disclosure? New details emerge in Ram Mandir theft row

Sources said the Ram Mandir trust was aware of the alleged donation theft before it became public. The claimed June 5 police action and later political sparring have raised questions over delay and transparency.

In Short

• Cash recovered during informal police search on June 5
• CCTV shows accused Avinash Shukla with bag of cash
• SIT found multiple lapses in donation handling and staff verification

Fresh details have emerged in the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case, with sources claiming that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had learnt about the suspected misappropriation days before the matter became public.

As per the sources, representatives of the Trust, acting on the instructions of General Secretary Champat Rai, accompanied police to the residence of one of the accused, Avinash Shukla, on June 5. Sources claimed that cash was recovered during the search, indicating that the matter had already come to the attention of the police.

However, despite the search operation, the Trust did not lodge a formal complaint with the police at the time. Sources further alleged that the June 5 action was carried out informally and was not based on an officially registered FIR.

The alleged theft came into the public domain only on June 7, triggering widespread attention and raising questions over the delay in initiating formal legal proceedings.

CCTV SHOWS ACCUSED WITH BAG OF CASH

Meanwhile, CCTV footage purportedly linked to the incident has also surfaced. In the 24-second clip, police personnel are seen escorting Avinash Shukla – one of the eight accused – towards a white vehicle after taking him into custody. The footage also shows him carrying a black bag, which, according to sources, contained the cash allegedly recovered during the search.

The authenticity of the CCTV footage and the claims surrounding the sequence of events have not been independently verified. Authorities are yet to issue an official statement addressing the alleged delay between the initial police action and the registration of the case.

The first exclusive photograph of Ramashankar Mishra, another accused in the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case, has also emerged.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged financial irregularities had, previously, reportedly uncovered multiple lapses in the management of offerings at the Ayodhya shrine. According to sources, the probe found deficiencies in cash handling, employee verification and CCTV monitoring.

The State Bank of India, which manages donations, is also under scrutiny over personnel hired through a private agency, with some appointments allegedly linked to trust officials. The investigation has further expanded to examine land purchases and procurement related to temple construction.

The SIT has submitted its findings to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

Ayodhya Police on Sunday carried out simultaneous raids at the residences of all eight people arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple, according to police sources. Search operations were conducted by police teams accompanied by local magistrates at the homes of the accused, including Lav Kush Mishra, Avinash Shukla and Ramashankar Yadav.

The raids came two days after a court remanded all eight accused to judicial custody until June 29. Police are expected to seek their custodial remand when they are produced before the court on Monday.

HOW THE CASE UNFOLDED

The Uttar Pradesh government constituted the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13 following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust after allegations of alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple surfaced.

The controversy escalated on June 7 when Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav cited reports claiming that crores of rupees from temple donations were unaccounted for and urged the courts to take cognisance of the matter.

Reacting to the allegations, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) international president Alok Kumar, at that time, had accused the Samajwadi Party and the Congress of attempting to politicise the issue and gain electoral advantage ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

AKHILESH YADAV GETS IN WAR OF WORDS

The row has triggered a fresh political war of words, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav targeting the Uttar Pradesh government and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanding a transparent investigation.

Responding to the controversy, Akhilesh Yadav said he had already clarified that he would visit the Ram Mandir after the completion of the Shiv temple at Kedareswar Dham in Etawah. He questioned how the alleged irregularities could have gone unnoticed despite Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's frequent visits to Ayodhya, saying the situation reflected the proverb "darkness beneath the lamp."

Reacting to the allegations, VHP international president Alok Kumar said no one involved in the case should be shielded and called for a thorough and transparent probe.

He said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also wanted the complete truth to emerge and urged authorities to ensure that those found guilty were brought to justice within the next few months.

Kumar also accused Akhilesh Yadav of politicising the issue ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Referring to the Samajwadi Party chief's recent remarks about building a "Siyaram Dham" if voted to power, Kumar questioned why the party had not undertaken similar initiatives during its previous tenure in office.

He further asserted that swift legal action against those responsible would help restore public confidence in the handling of the alleged donation theft case.

- Ends