Police investigation into the Ram Temple donation theft case revealed that the biggest theft took place during the Kumbh Mela. SIT has intensified the investigation of money trail by arresting 8 accused.
Ram Mandir Donation Theft: A big revelation has come to light in the investigation of Ram Temple donation theft case. According to the Ayodhya Police investigation, the biggest alleged theft in the temple took place during the Maha Kumbh Mela held in early 2025. Police say that at the same time, the amount of offerings and cash donations in the temple had increased significantly, of which the accused allegedly took advantage. The investigating agencies claim that the accused arrested in this entire case connived among themselves and carried out the theft in a planned manner.
SIT has arrested 8 accused so far
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Ram Temple donation theft case has so far arrested eight people, including Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Luv Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav. On Tuesday, the SIT interrogated all the accused for several hours. Police claim that these eight had hatched the entire conspiracy of theft together. Let us tell you that among these, Luvkush Mishra and Anukalp Mishra are brother-in-laws and they are being said to be the masterminds of this conspiracy.
Took alleged advantage of increased donations during Kumbh Mela
According to the police, some of the arrested accused had earlier also been involved in incidents of petty theft. But during the Kumbh Mela, there was a huge increase in both the number of devotees and cash donations in the Ram temple. According to investigation, the accused took advantage of this opportunity and allegedly misappropriated a large amount of cash.
Brother-in-law and brother-in-law duo accused of stealing the highest amount
Investigation has revealed that brother-in-law and brother-in-law duo Luv Kush Mishra and Anukalp Mishra are accused of stealing the most cash. Police say that both of them also bought several properties with the allegedly stolen money. So far in the investigation, information has been received about more than half a dozen properties related to these two. Ayodhya Police is taking the help of Income Tax Department to investigate these properties and financial transactions.
Role of SBI employees also under investigation
During the investigation, the role of some employees of State Bank of India (SBI) has also come under suspicion. Ayodhya Police is now preparing to send a letter to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for a detailed investigation into the money trail and financial transactions.
How are donations counted in Ram temple?
The counting of cash donations in Ram temple is done under the supervision of SBI. For this the bank has authorized a private agency. Devotees put cash offerings in four donation boxes in the temple. These donation boxes are counted by a 14-member team, which includes 11 bank employees and 3 Ram Mandir Trust representatives.
Highest amount of cash recovered from yoga center
According to the police, maximum cash was recovered from the hideout of accused Avinash Shukla in Kaushalyapuri. It was reported that this place was used as a yoga center associated with his brother Abhishek. Yoga center operator Seema Tiwari said that on June 5, the police had raided there and recovered a large amount of cash. He told that 4 boxes of Abhishek were kept in the Yoga Centre. Cash was kept hidden inside blankets in these boxes. ‘Ram Rajya Kosh’ was written on one of these boxes.
What was claimed after the raid?
According to Seema Tiwari, when Abhishek was asked about the police action and the recovered cash, he claimed that his brother Avinash Shukla was allegedly involved in the drug trade and that is why the raid took place. However, this claim has not been officially confirmed by the investigating agencies.
Cash also recovered from the houses of the accused
About three days ago, Ayodhya police had reached the houses of all the accused in connection with the investigation. During this period, cash was also recovered from the house of Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav. Tinnu Yadav has also worked as the driver of Champat Rai, former general secretary of Ram Mandir Trust.
Big revelation regarding the key of the counting room
According to sources, investigation revealed that one key of the counting room for counting cash was with Tinnu Yadav, while the other key was with the bank staff. It is alleged that the cash was embezzled with the alleged connivance of bank employees. Sources say that the alleged theft amount was divided among themselves by Tinnu Yadav and some bank employees. The investigation into these allegations is still ongoing.
Claim of receiving disproportionate transactions in bank accounts
The investigating agencies have collected details of bank accounts, banking records and movable and immovable properties of all the accused. According to the police, during the investigation, financial transactions were found in the bank accounts of the accused which were far in excess of their known sources of income. A review of bank records for one year also revealed that there were transactions in the accounts that were much higher than the normal income.
Claim of recovery of cash worth Rs 89 lakh
According to the police, maximum cash of Rs 89 lakh was recovered on the basis of information received from accused Avinash Shukla. Investigating agencies say that even before the FIR was registered, the Ram Mandir Trust had recovered this amount at its own level. At present, the investigation in the case is ongoing and the police are investigating the money trail, properties and other suspicious financial transactions in collaboration with various agencies.