The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged Ram Temple donation theft continued its investigation for nearly eight hours on Friday, the second day of its inquiry.
The team examined financial transactions linked to land purchases made by the Ram Temple Trust by verifying records with multiple banks. Bank officials involved in processing and counting cash transactions were summoned for questioning.
The SIT also reviewed census records, internal audit reports from previous years, and seized several documents after reportedly detecting discrepancies. In addition, investigators examined the property details of three key temple officials, General Secretary Champat Rai, trust member Anil Mishra, and administrator Gopal Rao. After concluding the day’s proceedings, the SIT left for Lucknow around 7 pm.
Meanwhile, a separate police team led by Ayodhya Circle Officer Ashutosh Tripathi continued questioning the main accused, Avinash Shukla, during his custody remand. Officers searched his residence and several locations identified during interrogation. During the operation, police recovered multiple assets, including a Maruti Brezza SUV, which was taken into custody.
SIT Questions Trust Officials Again
Following the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to extend the SIT’s investigation deadline until July 15, the three-member panel, comprising Lucknow Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, IG Range Kiran S, and Special Secretary (Finance) Neelratan Kumar, returned to Ayodhya to intensify the probe.
On Friday, the team questioned officials associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, including Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao, seeking details on land transactions and their personal assets.
Arriving at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex around 10:30 am, the SIT summoned officials from several banks to verify payments made in connection with land purchases. Employees of the State Bank who handled cash counting were also questioned to gather information regarding donation collections and cash management.
Investigators have also widened the probe to include three wheelchair attendants and certain security personnel attached to the Darshan Cell. According to sources, one wheelchair attendant allegedly borrowed Rs 2 lakh from accused Avinash Shukla to purchase a vehicle. Investigators suspect some of these individuals may have acted as intermediaries during cash handling. Their properties in Ayodhya are also being examined.
Audit Records Under Scanner
During scrutiny of old audit records, the SIT reportedly found several irregularities and seized relevant documents for further examination. The team also questioned two bank employees whose names have surfaced repeatedly since the investigation began. Additional bank officials were summoned as investigators examined whether standard operating procedures (SOPs) were violated during cash handling and banking operations.
The investigation further extended to a trust employee responsible for maintaining the temple’s jewellery inventory.
Separately, at around 9 am, the police team took the accused, Avinash Shukla, on remand, conducted a medical examination at the police lines, and then interrogated him. During interrogation, he was taken to a garden near Janora Cut on the Lucknow Highway, where investigators believe cash was occasionally distributed at secluded locations.
Later in the afternoon at around 3 pm, police escorted him to a yoga centre in Kaushalpuri, where he reportedly lived with his brother, Abhishek Shukla. Officers searched the premises for nearly 30 minutes before inspecting a nearby plot of land believed to be owned by the accused as part of the ongoing investigation.