Ayodhya Temple Theft Probe Intensifies; Raids Conducted
Police trace money trail as searches continue at residences of eight accused in alleged embezzlement case
- Simultaneous raids conducted at homes of all eight accused in Ayodhya.
- Police probing assets, bank accounts and alleged money trail.
- Around ₹79.85 lakh recovered so far; missing amount estimated at ₹7–7.5 crore.
- SIT probe continues; accused likely to be produced in court on Monday.
GG News Bureau
Ayodhya, 28th June: The investigation into the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya intensified on Saturday as police conducted simultaneous raids at the residences of all eight accused to trace the money trail and identify assets allegedly acquired using the embezzled funds.
Police teams, accompanied by local magistrates and a revenue official serving as an independent witness, searched the homes of the accused in connection with the alleged embezzlement of cash donated by devotees through the temple’s donation boxes.
The eight accused—Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ram Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ramashankar alias Tinnu Yadav—were arrested last week after CCTV footage allegedly revealed their involvement in the case.
Investigators are questioning family members and examining records related to land purchases, jewellery, bank deposits and other investments made over the past four years. Police are also gathering information from neighbours regarding any sudden changes in the financial condition of the accused.
According to sources, the alleged theft is estimated at ₹7–7.5 crore, while police have so far recovered ₹79.85 lakh from the accused. It was not immediately known whether any fresh recoveries were made during Saturday’s raids.
The accused were earlier remanded to police custody until Monday, and investigators are expected to seek an extension when they are produced before the court again.
The case was registered after a three-member Special Investigation Team submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government. Charges include theft by servant, criminal breach of trust, receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
