Ram Temple Donations – Police Seek Custody of Three Accused in Ayodhya Case
Ram Temple Donations – Police in Ayodhya have approached a local court seeking custody of three accused in the alleged theft of donations collected for the Ram Temple. The request is part of an ongoing inquiry into suspected irregularities during the counting of cash received through donation boxes.
Investigators said the custody remand is needed to examine the bank accounts of the accused and trace the source and movement of cash recovered during the investigation. Police believe that bank records may help determine whether the seized money is connected to the alleged theft of temple donations.
Cash Seized From Three Accused
According to police officials, Rs 14.25 lakh was recovered from Lavkush Mishra. Another Rs 16.82 lakh was seized from Anukalp Mishra, while Rs 18.07 lakh was recovered from Karunesh Pandey.
The investigators are trying to establish whether the recovered cash came from donation collections or from other sources. They have informed the court that access to financial documents is necessary to verify the alleged proceeds of crime and identify any transactions linked to the money.
Officials also suspect that some of the funds may have been used to buy goods or make other purchases. Details of such transactions are expected to emerge after the accused persons’ bank accounts are examined.
Questions Over Deposits in Family Account
Police said the father of accused Karunesh Pandey had claimed that around Rs 18 lakh was deposited in his wife’s bank account. During the proposed custody period, investigators plan to question Pandey about the origin of the money and the circumstances under which it was transferred to the account.
The police have also indicated that more recoveries may be possible if the financial trail is established through account statements, transaction records and other banking documents.
SIT Report Points to Counting Irregularities
Earlier this week, the Special Investigation Team formed by the Uttar Pradesh government submitted its preliminary report on the matter. The inquiry was initiated after the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust sought an investigation into suspected theft during the donation counting process.
According to the SIT report, CCTV footage recorded between April 27 and June 5, 2026, showed nearly 70 suspected incidents. The footage allegedly showed counting staff concealing bundles of notes and loose currency in clothing, shoes and personal belongings.
The SIT has identified six people against whom it says prima facie evidence has been found. They are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Ramashankar Mishra. Police cases have been registered against all six individuals.
Security Procedures Found Lacking
The preliminary findings also highlighted serious shortcomings in the supervision of the donation counting process. The SIT noted that several security requirements mentioned in an agreement and standard operating procedure with the State Bank of India were not properly implemented.
The report cited the absence of frisking at entry and exit points, lack of biometric attendance, and failure to count donations separately according to each hundi. It also mentioned that cash from different donation boxes was mixed together, while rules regarding dress code and personal belongings were not strictly enforced.
Investigators further flagged concerns about unauthorised access to keys of donation boxes. The SIT said these lapses created opportunities for irregularities during the counting process.
Trust Begins Administrative Changes
The SIT said recoveries worth about Rs 78.94 lakh, along with other items, had been made from the accused before the formal probe began. Its review of bank accounts reportedly found deposits that were significantly higher than the salaries earned by some of the accused.
The report also held former trustee Dr Anil Mishra and counting in-charge Subhash Srivastava responsible for supervisory failures. On Monday, the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust accepted the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and Anil Mishra on moral grounds.
The Trust has said it is introducing changes to improve transparency and strengthen the monitoring of donation collections. The SIT will continue its investigation and is expected to recommend further safeguards for the counting and handling of temple donations.