What Hidden Camera, CCTVs, Bank Deposits Reveal in Ram Temple Donation Theft Case

As

the probe in the Ram Temple alleged donation fund theft case advances after the registration of an FIR, the CCTV footage from April 27, 2026 to June 5, 2026 examined by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) uncovered crucial evidence related to the misappropriation of the fund, following which an action was initiated. At least 8 suspects have been arrested so far, while General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Champat Rai, has also stepped down.

The Hidden Camera in the Ram Temple

In the last week of May, officials associated with the Ram Temple Trust reviewed the amount being deposited in the bank and examined the daily process of emptying the donation boxes. Some members of the trust became suspicious about some irregularities in the funds.Normally, each donation box contains around Rs 6-7 lakh when the box is opened. However, over the course of a few weeks, officials noticed that bundles of Rs 500 notes were consistently falling short.As suspicion deepened, hidden cameras were installed by some trust members inside the room where the cash was counted.The footage recorded over the following week allegedly revealed that while one employee would deliberately stand in front of the visible CCTV cameras, another employee would remove notes from the bundles and conceal them inside his clothes.Although their actions were hidden from the regular CCTV cameras, they were captured by the hidden cameras.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaVG5j8AGUk

Adding Extra Currency Notes in Bundles

As per sources, the theft was also carried out through another method.Probe in the case so far reveals that employees responsible for counting the cash would deliberately insert extra notes into each bundle. When the cash reached the bank, officials would count only the number of bundles instead of recounting every individual note, and a voucher would be prepared accordingly.During the transfer of cash from the temple to the bank, the extra notes that had been inserted into the bundles were allegedly removed. This ensured that the amount matched the voucher while allowing cash to be siphoned off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFUt0cAoSoI

Anukalp Mishra, who was associated with preparing donation vouchers, allegedly carried out this manipulation with the help of his brother-in-law, Lav Kush Mishra. After the matter came to light, police reportedly recovered lakhs of money from Lav Kush Mishra's residence.According to the sources, all employees involved in the cash-counting process had been appointed through personal recommendations or acquaintances.Like, one Tinnu Yadav, the driver of Champat Rai, was working as a manager and had allegedly arranged for his cousin, Manish Yadav, to join the cash-counting team.Similarly, Anukalp Mishra, who had been working there for years, allegedly got his brother-in-law, Lav Kush Mishra, employed in the same process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPgk2Y-1T88

Employees Were Not Searched After Their Shifts

One lapse that has emerged in the preliminary investigation is that these employees who were involved in the donation fund procedure were not searched while leaving after their shifts.This allegedly allowed them to gradually steal cash from the very room where donation boxes were opened, notes were sorted, and bundles were prepared.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3owgFUYRrU

CCTV Showed Money Was Being Stolen

After reviewing CCTV footage of Avinash Pandey, investigators allegedly found that the money he was seen stealing corresponded with deposits made into the bank on the same dates.During questioning, the trust officials matched these transactions and reportedly confirmed that Avinash had deposited a portion of the allegedly stolen donation money into his personal bank account.Investigators found that the theft allegedly took place before the counting of cash and before the donation boxes were officially opened.Taking into account the findings so far, the SIT found major lapses in the handling and management of cash up to the donation counting room.However, several facts circulating in media reports and on social media regarding the donations were found to be baseless.The FIR states that it is evident from the SIT's preliminary report and the available oral, documentary, and electronic evidence that certain employees deployed to count donation funds committed a crime by stealing and repeatedly embezzling or misappropriating the money.Based on the facts mentioned in the preliminary report, as well as the SIT's preliminary report and the available oral, documentary, and electronic evidence and financial records, it is necessary to register an FIR.

CM Yogi Reassures Action in Ram Temple Fund Case

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the police action against people accused embezzling donations at Ram Temple in Ayodhya began immediately after the SIT submitted its report.Anyone found guilty would not be spared, he said during an address in Deoria, after UP Police on Thursday night arrested all eight persons named in the FIR. Adityanath described the controversy as an attempt to target Ram devotees and defame Ayodhya out of "frustration" by some political parties."When they found nothing else, they started playing with people's faith. They are making allegations against Ram devotees and trying to defame Ayodhya Dham," he said."Ayodhya is a symbol of the faith of all of us and of Sanatan Dharma. Do not cast an evil eye on Ayodhya. Learn to uphold the dignity of Lord Ram. We had said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been constituted and that action would begin as soon as its report was received," Adityanath said, recalling his remarks in Ayodhya on June 19."The SIT report came and action started immediately. I assure you that, as I had said, we will separate truth from falsehood," he said.The chief minister said no one would be allowed to play with people's faith and warned of strict action against anyone found guilty.