UP: 8 Arrested in Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust Donation Case

Lucknow, Jun 26: The Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested eight accused named in the first FIR registered in connection with the alleged theft of offerings and donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

The FIR was lodged at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Police Station following recommendations made by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The case was registered on the basis of a written complaint filed by Trust member Krishnamohan.

Those arrested have been identified as Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Shri Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu. The FIR also names other unidentified accused.

The SIT, headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, submitted its preliminary report to the government on Tuesday, recommending strict action in the matter. Acting on its recommendations, the FIR was registered on Thursday.

The case came to light after allegations surfaced regarding the theft of offerings and donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Following the Trust’s request for a special probe, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the constitution of the SIT to investigate the matter.