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 ₹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. 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. As per sources, the theft was also carried out through another method. 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.
8 people under scanner
Anukalp Mishra, who was associated with preparing donation vouchers, allegedly carried out this manipulation with the help of his brother-in-law, Lavkush 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.
For example, 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, Lavkush Mishra, employed in the same process.
A major lapse was that employees 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.
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, 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.
The Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday arrested all eight accused in the case. An FIR has been registered, and investigators are trying to determine whether more people were involved in the alleged fraud and if the embezzlement was part of a larger organised racket.
Further investigation is underway.
