Ayodhya Ram Temple Cash Theft: 6 Arrested Accused Employed by Varanasi Security Agency

Ram Temple Donation Probe: 6 of 8 Arrested Linked to Varanasi Security Agency

The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has revealed that six of the eight arrested accused were employed by a Varanasi-based private security agency that provided personnel for the temple’s cash-counting operations, according to a Hindustan Times report.

The security agency, Sainik Security Services, was reportedly engaged to supply manpower for the cash-counting process through the State Bank of India’s Naya Ghat branch in Ayodhya.

The development comes as Uttar Pradesh Police broadens its probe into the alleged irregularities surrounding the handling of donations at the temple.

SIT Findings Led to Arrests

The case came to light after a Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on June 13, allegedly uncovered major violations of the standard operating procedures governing the collection and counting of donations.

Based on the SIT’s preliminary findings, an FIR was lodged on June 25, following which eight people associated with the donation-counting process were arrested. The arrested individuals are Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Manish Yadav, Subhash Srivastava, Avinash Shukla, Rama Shankar Mishra and Karunesh Pandey.

Security Firm Says SBI Recommended 19 Personnel

According to Hindustan Times, Sainik Security Services director Gaurav Singh said the agency was asked by SBI’s Naya Ghat branch to induct 19 individuals into its workforce and deploy them for cash-counting duties related to the Ram Temple Trust.

“Usually, such manpower requirements come from the corporate office, but in this case the local branch itself raised the demand,” Singh was quoted as saying. He claimed the agency simply recruited the individuals identified by the bank and deputed them for the assignment. Singh added that each employee was paid around Rs 20,000 a month.

The company, which was incorporated as a private limited firm in 2017 after operating in other forms since 2000, currently provides security services across multiple states.

SBI Cooperating With Investigation

State Bank of India said it is fully cooperating with the Special Investigation Team. The bank said it has been handling banking services for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust since the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in January 2024.

According to court documents cited by Hindustan Times, six of the eight arrested accused were paid by Sainik Security Services. The report further stated that one accused, Ram Shankar Yadav, received payments directly from the Trust, while another accused, Subhash Srivastava, a retired bank employee, was not drawing any salary.

It also reported that Anukalp Mishra and Lavkush Mishra are related to each other and to former Trust member Anil Mishra, while Ram Shankar Yadav and Manish Yadav are also relatives.

Probe Expands to Security Personnel

Meanwhile, investigators questioned Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai as part of the ongoing probe. Police also interrogated accused Avinash Shukla inside the district jail after obtaining court permission. According to PTI, the Trust had earlier recovered Rs 20 lakh from Shukla.

The investigation has now widened to examine the role of nearly 400 private security personnel deployed across the Ram Temple complex. Officials are scrutinising CCTV footage, duty rosters, entry-exit records and statements of security staff to determine whether established protocols for handling donations were followed.

Police have so far recovered around Rs 80 lakh in cash and some foreign currency from six of the accused. Investigators have also alleged that one of the arrested men, Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, a former driver of Champat Rai, was found in possession of keys to multiple donation boxes, allegedly in violation of prescribed procedures.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is expected to hold a meeting on July 6 to discuss the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and Trust member Anil Mishra as the investigation continues.