Ram Temple Donation Row: 'Biggest Thefts During Kumbh'; Ex-Trustee, Varanasi Firm Under Scanner

Ayodhya:

The probe into the alleged embezzlement of donation funds of the Ayodhya Ram Temple has intensified as investigators questioned the accused in the jail for hours. Sources told Times Now that the accused allegedly named former trustee Anil Mishra and one of the accused, Tinnu Yadav for being involved in the alleged donation fraud. Notably, Yadav is among the eight arrested individuals by the Ayodhya Police in connection with the case.On Tuesday, Avinash Shukla, another accused in the matter, was grilled for almost three hours as a large amount of cash was recovered from him. The arrested accused revealed that Mishra played a key role in the donation counting process, claimed the sources.

Role Of Tinnu Yadav?

According to the sources, the questioning revealed that Tinnu Yadav had possession of one key to the donation counting room, while the second key was with bank officials. The accused allegedly claimed that the thefts were carried out through the collusion of Tinnu Yadav and bank employees.They further alleged that both Tinnu Yadav and the bank officials received a share of the stolen money. The accused reportedly told police that the thefts were easy to execute because of their alleged nexus with Tinu Yadav. Some sources even claimed that the accused involved in the counting process were not questioned or checked as they were considered close to a senior trust functionary.

'Six of the Eight Arrested Accused Were From Varanasi-Based Firm':

During the investigation, it was revealed that six of the eight accused arrested in the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case were employees of a private security agency based in Varanasi, Sainik Security Services. Meanwhile, the responsibility for the cash-counting process was reportedly assigned to the agency by the State Bank of India (SBI), Naya Ghat branch, Ayodhya. The sources claimed that the SBI branch had recommended the names of 19 individuals for the cash-counting exercise. These individuals were inducted into the agency's team and deployed by the agency for the assignment.However, the agency was reportedly told that certain individuals recommended by the Ram Temple Trust had to be retained as part of the cash-counting team. As a result, those existing personnel were included in the team and made available to the bank for the cash-counting operation.

Most Of the Ram Temple Trust Eployees Were Recommended By Anil Mishra:

According to sources, the SIT is closely examining the recruitment process at the Ram temple, where a significant number of appointments were allegedly made based on recommendations from trust functionaries. Investigators have found that nearly 125 employees were recruited on the recommendation of Mishra. Recruitment decisions were also reportedly influenced by recommendations from associates of Champat Rai and Gopal Rao. The probe has also expanded to include allegations that commissions were taken in exchange for appointments.

Role Of Bank Of Baroda's Ayodhya Branch:

According to sources, Ayodhya Police has also conducted an inquiry at the Bank of Baroda's Ayodhya branch as part of its investigation. Police reportedly served a notice to the branch to verify details related to the Ram Temple Trust's account. Sources said the Trust's Bank of Baroda account is used exclusively for online donations, including payments made through QR codes, and does not handle cash transactions. The sources claimed that Bank of Baroda employees are not involved in the temple's cash-counting process. Around 10–15 per cent of the temple's total donations are received online and deposited in Bank of Baroda and Punjab National Bank (PNB) accounts, while the remaining donations, primarily cash contributions, are handled through the SBI, the sources added.

'Theft Increased During Kumbh Mela':

According to the probe, the largest alleged thefts took place during the Kumbh Mela, when donations at the Ram Temple surged substantially. Some of the eight arrested accused had allegedly been carrying out smaller thefts even before the Kumbh, but the sharp rise in donations during the religious gathering allegedly enabled them to steal larger sums. Investigators suspect that all eight accused conspired to execute the thefts, with Lav Kush Mishra and Anukalp Mishra, who are brothers-in-law, allegedly playing a key role and stealing the largest share.