An action has been initiated against Ramshankar Yadav, aka Tinnu Yadav, a close aide of Champat Rai, in connection with the alleged donation theft at Ayodhya-based Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
Sources told CNN-News18 that the Special Investigation Team may tighten the legal noose around Yadav, employees involved in counting donations and certain bank officials.
A case is likely to be registered against him, said sources, adding he may face arrest and eventual imprisonment.
Poonam Yadav, wife of Tinnu Yadav, alleged that it was a conspiracy to “defame him”, adding that her family was being subjected to “mental harassment”.
“There is nothing of the sort. Does anyone have any concrete evidence? They are just trying to defame him; there is absolutely nothing to it.
It is being claimed that there are 50 rooms, a hostel, a hotel, and luxury cars—there is nothing like that. Yet, people are making such statements. If anything like that had been taken away, I would have been screaming and crying”, Poonam said, according to news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Ayodhya, UP: On alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlment case and property dispute, Poonam Yadav (wife of Ramshankar Yadav, alias Tinnu Yadav, associate of Champat Rai, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust) says, “There is nothing of the sort. Does anyone have any… pic.twitter.com/IHGFqYwcRW
— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2026
“Nothing of the sort happened; no one even came here. It is a conspiracy to defame him. He is being framed, and his image is being tarnished. We have been under so much stress for the past 15 days; we are being subjected to mental stress…I bought that house in 2008. It was built in 2015, before the Ram Mandir verdict was delivered, and everything I possess is transparent…” she said.
Champat Rai To Step Aside?
Champat Rai, who is the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and members Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao, are likely to voluntarily step aside from the trust, sources told CNN-News18.
Moreover, office-bearers whose alleged negligence led to the donation theft could be removed from the trust.
What Is The Case?
The Ram Mandir donation theft case pertains to allegations that gold, silver and diamond ornaments donated by devotees to the Ram Temple had been replaced with fake items, besides money being stolen.
Authorities are examining discrepancies in donation handling and financial records. The case has sparked heightened scrutiny and significant public attention over transparency in fund management at one of the most important religious and cultural sites in India.
An investigation is currently underway into the matter.
/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-178177486177054153.webp)
