Major Crackdown Ram Mandir Donation Theft: Rs 1.4 Cr Cash, Dollars, Jewellery Seized; 8 Accused Sent to Judicial Custody.

Donation Box Scandal  From Donation Box to Benami Assets: 8 Held in Ram Mandir Embezzlement Case; Gold, Cash, Property Papers Seized in Raids.

Ayodhya: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir has arrested eight people and recovered over Rs 1.4 crore in cash, foreign currency, jewellery, and property documents during raids across Ayodhya. A local court on Monday sent all eight accused to 14 days of judicial custody. 

Who Are the Accused:

   The FIR names Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Avinash Shukla, and retired bank employee Subhash Srivastava. All were associated with counting cash and valuables received as donations at the Ram Temple.

Major Recoveries So Far:

   Rs 89 lakh recovered based on information from accused Avinash Shukla before the FIR was registered.

   Rs 12 lakh in cash found hidden under cow dung at Lav Kush Mishra’s ancestral home.

   Rs 5 lakh seized during a raid on a yoga centre linked to Shukla’s family.

   Jewellery recovered from Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav’s residence.

   -Property documents, Aadhaar, PAN cards, and bank details seized from multiple accused.

   Total recovery: Police have so far recovered Rs 79.85 lakh to Rs 80 lakh, with SIT estimates of over Rs 1.4 crore in total embezzled funds.

   Foreign currency: Reports indicate US dollars were also recovered during raids, though exact amounts are under verification.

How the Money Was Allegedly Siphoned:

   Brother-in-law duo Lav Kush Mishra and Anukalp Mishra allegedly stole the largest share and invested in 6+ properties.

   Lav Kush Mishra, earning Rs 12,000/month, allegedly built a Rs 25-lakh house in Ayodhya in his wife’s name.

   -Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav, who oversaw donation boxes, allegedly bought properties in Ayodhya and nearby districts and owns a 70-room hostel near Ayodhya airport. Gold worth “several crores” was allegedly recovered from his residence.

   Cash counting room access: Tinnu Yadav allegedly held one of two keys to the counting room. The SIT is probing collusion with bank staff.

Bank & Trust Angle:

   SBI’s Naya Ghat branch in Ayodhya held accounts of 7 accused and the Temple Trust.

   6 of 8 accused were employees of Varanasi-based Sainik Security Services, assigned cash-counting duties by SBI.

   70–80 people are under the scanner, including bank officials.

   The Trust’s General Secretary Champat Rai has resigned on “moral grounds”.

Case Details:.

   FIR registered at Ayodhya Kotwali under BNS Sections 305A, 306, 317(2), 317(5), 316(5), 61(2), 3(5) and Prevention of Corruption Act.

  Complaint filed by Trust member Krishna Mohan.

    SIT formed on June 13 after Trust’s request, headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant.

Political Fallout:

   AAP’s Sanjay Singh  alleged theft of “over Rs 200 crore” and demanded CBI probe.

   SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said “For the BJP, religion means money”.

    BJP’s Rajneesh Singh sought CBI probe; PMO asked Trust for report.

   Ayodhya Bar Association may refuse to represent accused, citing a 2005 precedent. 

Trust Statement:.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said it was “shocked, hurt, and deeply saddened”and committed to a “fair investigation” .

What Next:.

 ED probe likely into money trail.

Forensic audit of Trust accounts sought in PIL before Allahabad HC.

Police examining 5 years of bank records of accused and Trust.