Police investigating the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have traced financial transactions worth over ₹15 lakh linked to one of the accused.
Widening the probe into the suspected misappropriation of devotees’ contributions. Investigators said the transactions are connected to accused Avinash Shukla, who allegedly transferred money to several people and made multiple cash payments. Police are now examining whether the funds originated from the temple’s donation collections.
The probe has also uncovered that Shukla allegedly gifted around ₹2 lakh in cash and an expensive mobile phone to a woman friend. Investigators are verifying whether these purchases were financed using the allegedly embezzled money.
According to police, Shukla’s brother, Abhishek, had repeatedly seen him carrying bundles of cash to a yoga centre after completing his work shift. When questioned about the source of the money, Shukla reportedly failed to give a convincing explanation.
Investigators said Abhishek later confronted another accused, Anukalp, who allegedly claimed the cash came from devotees who voluntarily gave money out of gratitude or in return for assistance during darshan. Police said Anukalp also warned him not to raise the issue again. Officers are now verifying these claims as part of the investigation.
SIT Continues Investigation
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) revisited the Ram Temple premises on July 3 as part of its ongoing probe into the alleged embezzlement.
Earlier this week, the Uttar Pradesh government granted the SIT a 15-day extension to complete its investigation, allowing it to examine additional evidence and expand the scope of the inquiry.
An FIR in the case was registered on June 25 after the SIT submitted its preliminary report on June 23. Eight people named in the FIR have since been arrested.
Following the arrests, Ram Temple Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra stepped down, taking moral responsibility for the alleged financial irregularities.
Political Reactions
The case has sparked a political controversy in Uttar Pradesh, with Opposition parties accusing the BJP of failing to safeguard donations made by devotees. The ruling party has rejected the criticism, maintaining that the investigation is being conducted transparently.
BJP MP Dinesh Sharma said the state government had acted swiftly by constituting an SIT and urged people to have faith in the ongoing investigation.
State Cabinet Minister Sanjay Nishad also defended the government’s handling of the case, saying the current administration was ensuring accountability rather than attempting to conceal allegations of corruption.
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