The investigation into alleged embezzlement at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple has uncovered significant evidence of theft among counting staff,according to a report from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government. findings,submitted on June 23,reveal that between April 27 and June 5,CCTV footage captured numerous instances of employees concealing cash in their clothing and personal belongings.
During this period,the SIT documented approximately 70 suspected theft incidents,with some employees appearing to assist in these actions. Testimonies from various sources, including trust officials and bank personnel,suggest that similar irregularities may have occurred prior to the footage reviewed,but the absence of earlier recordings limited the investigation's scope.
The SIT's report indicates a failure to enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) designed to safeguard the temple's financial integrity. Essential security measures, such as frisking, biometric attendance, and restrictions on personal items, were not adequately implemented. This negligence created an environment where theft could flourish.
Among those identified as having a prima facie involvement in the theft are Avinash Shukla,Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra,Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, and Ramashankar Mishra. The report highlights that Shukla and Yadav were frequently observed removing or hiding cash, while the others were implicated in assisting these actions .
In light of these findings, the SIT plans to conduct a comprehensive re-audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s financial accounts over the past five years . This audit will encompass not only the donations received but also expenditures related to construction and items such as jewelry and precious metals .
Eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the case,including six named above and two others,Ram Shankar Yadav and Subhash Srivastava. They have been in judicial custody since June 29, with a court hearing scheduled for July 13. Recently, a court in Ayodhya granted police custody for one day to three of the accused: Pandey, Lavkush,and Anukalp.
Vibhuti Narain Rai,a former Director General of the Uttar Pradesh police, expressed concerns that the limited CCTV footage represents only a fraction of a larger issue. He suggested that the evidence gathered so far may only scratch surface of a more extensive organized corruption scheme, particularly given the high volume of donations during the Maha Kumbh, when pilgrim attendance surged .
Rai emphasized that the potential scale of the theft could be substantial, indicating that a more thorough investigation is necessary to uncover the full extent of the alleged corruption. As the SIT continues its work,the implications for the temple trust and its financial practices remain significant.
