Ayodhya Ram temple donation theft: SIT finds prima facie evidence, flags 70 alleged cases of theft

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), according to its preliminary report submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government, found prima facie evidence of theft and larceny while counting donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya. The findings are based on CCTV footage, witness statements, financial records and other documents examined during the investigation.

According to ANI, the SIT reviewed CCTV footage, statements of trust officials, bank officials, security and donation counting staff along with bank records, seizure documents, memorandum of understanding (MoU) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the trust.

A preliminary report said CCTV footage recorded between April 27 and June 5 repeatedly captured some staff involved in the donation counting process allegedly hiding wads of notes and loose cash in their clothes, pockets, shoes and other hidden places. The footage also reportedly shows other employees assisting or shadowing those involved.

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The SIT found prima facie evidence of the theft, including CCTV footage showing staff hiding cash while counting donations, along with discrepancies in financial records.

The Trust is considered to be an independent entity not established by government funding and therefore not classified as a public body under the RTI Act according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Around 70 cases of alleged theft or theft were documented by the SIT during its investigation into the donation counting process.

The investigation revealed deficiencies in security measures, inadequate controls and failures in documentation and cash handling procedures that contributed to the theft.

Krishna Mohan intends to strengthen internal processes, correct operational errors and ensure that similar incidents do not recur to restore confidence in the Trust.

According to ANI, the SIT has documented around 70 cases of alleged theft or theft during the period covered by the available CCTV footage. The report further states that based on employee statements and discrepancies between the amount of cash counted and money deposited in banks, similar incidents may have occurred before April 27. However, investigators said the absence of CCTV footage from an earlier period prevented them from determining the full extent of any such incidents.

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Security deficiencies, procedural deficiencies highlighted

According to ANI, the SIT found that several security measures mandated under the trust’s standard operating procedures were either poorly implemented or not followed. These included staff checks, biometric attendance, restrictions on carrying personal items into the counting area, CCTV monitoring and other security measures to ensure transparency and security during the counting process.

The report said these outages created conditions that made theft and robbery possible. He also highlighted procedural flaws in the handling of valuable tenders and cited inconsistencies in documentation, weighing and sealing procedures.

However, the SIT said the allegations regarding the donated silver bricks and other valuable offerings could not be substantiated. According to the report, available records indicate that these items remained in the custody of the trust and were processed in accordance with prescribed procedures.

As quoted by ANI, the SIT has identified six persons with prima facie involvement based on CCTV footage, recovery records, financial documents and witness statements. The report names Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Ramashankar Mishra.

According to the report, Avinash Shukla and Manish Kumar Yadav were repeatedly seen allegedly withdrawing or hiding cash during the counting process. The remaining individuals were reportedly seen assisting or participating in similar acts.

The SIT concluded that the prima facie evidence collected so far established that there was theft and larceny in the donation counting room during donation counting. According to ANI, a preliminary report has been submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government with its findings based on CCTV footage, financial records, recovery documents and witness statements.