Ram Temple Donation Theft: 8 Arrested in Ayodhya Embezzlement Probe

A significant controversy has erupted in India over the alleged theft and embezzlement of donations from the revered Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the case, following a preliminary report by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the state government. The arrests underscore ongoing concerns regarding the financial management and transparency of the temple's vast donations. The alleged financial irregularities first surfaced around June 7, prompting widespread attention and political debate. In response to growing allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government, at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, formed a three-member Special Investigation Team on June 13 to probe the claims. The SIT, headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, also includes Lucknow range Inspector General Kiran S and Finance Department Special Secretary Neelratan Kumar. This team was tasked with examining records related to donation collection, counting, handling, storage, and supervision, and questioning temple staff and officials involved in the process. The SIT submitted its preliminary findings around June 23, recommending legal action. Subsequently, an First Information Report (FIR) was registered on the night of June 25 at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station. The complaint was filed by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, alleging theft, misappropriation of cash, embezzlement of funds, and valuables donated to the temple. All eight individuals named in the FIR were arrested on June 25th and 26th. The accused have been identified as Lavkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Manish Yadav, Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Subhash Chandra Srivastava, Karunesh Pandey, and Ramashankar Mishra. These individuals were primarily involved in the process of counting cash and valuables offered by devotees. Among those arrested, Anukalp Mishra is believed to be a mastermind behind the embezzlement, and Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, a former driver and close aide of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, also held a supervisory role in donation handling. Reports indicate that ₹20 lakh was recovered from Anukalp Mishra's residence. The accused face charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including theft (sections 305, 306), criminal breach of trust (section 316), dishonestly receiving stolen property (section 317), and criminal conspiracy (section 61). The modus operandi of the theft reportedly came to light after temple trust officials noticed discrepancies between deposited amounts and daily records in late May. Hidden cameras were then installed in the donation-counting room, which allegedly revealed employees deliberately obstructing the view of visible CCTV cameras while siphoning off currency notes and jewelry and concealing them in their clothing. Investigators also found evidence of extra notes being inserted into bundles during counting. Jewellery such as earrings, nose rings, bracelets, and anklets offered to the deity were also reportedly stolen. The controversy has quickly taken on a significant political dimension. Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Congress, have criticized the handling of temple funds and demanded a more comprehensive investigation. Initial allegations suggested a misappropriation of ₹7 crore to ₹7.5 crore, which later escalated to claims of nearly ₹200 crore by some opposition leaders. They have also alleged that influential individuals, including Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, are being shielded by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while affirming that action is being taken based on the SIT report, has criticized the opposition for making "baseless comments" and trying to politicize a matter of faith. Amid the escalating row, Public Interest Litigations (PILs) have been filed in both the Supreme Court and the Allahabad High Court, seeking a court-monitored investigation, potentially by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Supreme Court is slated to hear a plea regarding the matter on June 29. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has denied any wrongdoing and stated its cooperation with the SIT investigation. However, the Trust reportedly declined to share its financial records with the district administration, citing the ongoing SIT probe, which has further fueled opposition criticism. The Ram Temple, inaugurated in January 2024, has become one of India's most significant pilgrimage centers, attracting an estimated 50 million visitors annually and recording an annual income of 3.27 billion rupees ($35m) in the financial year 2024-25. The incident raises crucial questions about accountability, transparency, and the management of donations in prominent religious institutions, deeply impacting public trust.

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