Ayodhya police seek custody of three more in Ram Temple donation embezzlement case
Police personnel and people gather at the VIP gate number 11 of the Ram Temple amid a meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust amid an ongoing investigation into the alleged theft of temple donations and the resignation of its general secretary, Champat Rai, and trustee Anil Mishra, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on July 20. Photo credit: PTI
The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple has intensified and the Ayodhya police is preparing to seek the remand of three more accused for further investigation.
The Ayodhya police said they will move the court to remand Karunesh Pandey, Anukalp Mishra and Lav Kush Mishra for detailed interrogation in connection with the case. Further, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in its preliminary report submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government found prima facie evidence of theft and robbery during the counting of donations at the temple.
The investigation examined CCTV footage, statements of trusted officials, bank officials, security personnel and enumerators along with bank records, seizure documents, memorandum of understanding and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The report said CCTV footage available from April 27 to June 5 repeatedly shows some counting workers hiding wads of notes and loose cash inside their clothes, pockets, shoes and other hidden places.
It also notes instances where other employees appeared to have aided or abetted such activities.
According to the SIT, the available footage documents around 70 cases of alleged theft or theft during the period under review. Based on staff statements and discrepancies between counted cash and bank deposits, the report suggests that similar incidents may have occurred before April 27, although the absence of older CCTV footage prevented an assessment of their true extent.
The report said that the prescribed security measures, including screening, biometric attendance, restriction of personal belongings, CCTV monitoring and other safeguards provided under the trust’s SOP, were not effectively implemented. Based on CCTV footage, recovery records, financial documents and witness statements, the report identifies Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Ramashankar Mishra as prima facie involved.
It states that Avinash Shukla and Manish Kumar Yadav were repeatedly seen withdrawing or hiding cash, while others were seen assisting or engaging in similar acts. Meanwhile, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj announced that Champat Rai’s resignation as General Secretary and Anil Mishra’s Trustee had been accepted after the Trust meeting.
Published – 7 Jul 2026 14:34 IST