Police Investigate Key Suspects in Ayodhya Donation Fraud
On Wednesday, Ayodhya police took Ramashankar Mishra, one of the main suspects in the donation embezzlement case, to his rented residence in Ayodhya.
During the search, they discovered crucial land-related documents stored in a bag at the property. The police have sealed the house and confiscated the digital video recorder from the CCTV cameras installed there. Investigative agencies are currently examining these documents to determine their relevance to the case. Searches were also conducted at locations associated with Mishra and another suspect, Subhash Srivastava. After undergoing medical examinations, both were brought to the Special Operations Group (SOG) office from Ayodhya district jail, where they were interrogated for nearly 14 hours. Srivastava was responsible for overseeing cash counting at the temple, while Mishra transported sealed donation boxes to the counting center. They are among the eight individuals arrested in connection with this case.
Discovery of ₹7.32 Lakh in Bank Deposits
Authorities are scrutinizing the roles of Mishra and Srivastava, along with the documents seized from their residences. Mishra’s bank account revealed a deposit of approximately ₹7.32 lakh, which his family claims was saved from his monthly salary earned during five to six years of employment at the temple. Investigators are trying to ascertain whether this amount is linked to the alleged misappropriation of donation funds. A search at Srivastava’s home also yielded several documents, which are currently under review; officials stated that the investigation is ongoing. They mentioned that if any evidence of illegal assets or suspicious transactions is found, it will be included in the case file.
Investigating Srivastava’s Alleged Role
The police have intensified their scrutiny of Srivastava, accusing him of exploiting flaws in the cash counting process to facilitate the alleged embezzlement. Although no cash has been recovered from him yet, police officials assert that the initial findings from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the government have highlighted his involvement. The SIT identified significant deficiencies in the donation management system at the temple, particularly concerning procedures and oversight.
Two SUVs and Financial Misconduct Uncovered
Previously, during interrogations of co-accused Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, and Karunesh Pandey, investigators reportedly recovered two SUVs purchased with funds allegedly misappropriated from donations. Additionally, cash, gold jewelry, and investment-related documents were found. Further investigations revealed that a portion of the funds from the donation scam had been invested in the stock market and used for private lending. To obscure the true source of the money, it was funneled through banking channels.