The Ram Temple donation embezzlement case has intensified after Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned while Uttar Pradesh Police arrested all eight accused named in the FIR linked to the alleged theft of devotees’ offerings.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust General Secretary Champat Rai (left) and trustee Anil Mishra. Both resigned after an FIR was registered in the alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement case in Ayodhya. (Photo: ANI)
The alleged embezzlement of donations collected at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya took a significant turn on Friday after Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned, taking what sources described as moral responsibility in the case. The development comes as police arrested all eight people named in the FIR linked to the alleged theft of devotees’ offerings.
The investigation began after allegations that crores of rupees donated by devotees had been misappropriated. Acting on the Trust’s request, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a Special Investigation Team, whose preliminary findings led to the registration of the first FIR.
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The FIR was lodged under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5).
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Former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey had alleged that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore from donations made by devotees at the Ram Temple had been misappropriated. Following the allegations and a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 14. The FIR was later registered on the basis of the SIT’s preliminary findings.
Police have arrested all eight accused named in the FIR. They are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu.
According to investigators, all of them were associated with counting cash donations and valuables offered by devotees at the temple. They have been accused of diverting temple funds and valuables. Authorities also claimed that the alleged acts were captured on CCTV cameras.
Among those arrested, Tinnu Yadav has emerged as the key accused. Sources claimed he was a former driver of Champat Rai and enjoyed considerable access to donation boxes and cash handling.
Ramashankar Mishra allegedly involved his son Anukalp Mishra and son-in-law Lavkush Mishra in the cash-counting process. Investigators said cash was recovered from Lavkush Mishra’s residence during the probe.
Police also alleged that Rs 5 lakh was found in the account of Avinash Shukla. Manish Yadav, who is related to Tinnu Yadav, has also been accused of participating in the counting process.
Subhash Srivastava, a former bank employee, allegedly supervised the cash-counting team, while Karunesh Pandey is accused of manipulating donation receipts.
The State Bank of India had been authorised to count cash and valuables received at the temple.
Addressing a public meeting in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the government would maintain a zero-tolerance approach in the matter and assured that the investigation would uncover the truth.
“The government’s intention is clear…, everything will come before everyone. But I will appeal once again: do not test Ram devotees, stop tampering with their faith. If there are no facts or evidence, then stop the accusations and counter-accusations, and if there is evidence, then present it before the SIT,” he said.
He added that action would continue in accordance with the SIT’s recommendations.
The Chief Minister also accused opposition parties of politicising the issue and alleged that those questioning the Ram Temple had earlier opposed its construction.
Bihar minister Ram Kripal Yadav said strict action should be taken against anyone found guilty.
“If theft has taken place, it is unfortunate. The administration is taking action on the matter. Those found to be involved have been arrested, and anyone else found to be involved will also face action,” he said.
JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said misuse of donations made by devotees could not be justified under any circumstances.
Congress MP Jebi Mather questioned the pace of the investigation and alleged that attempts were being made to shield those responsible.
“It is a shock that even Ram Mandir is being looted, but the double-engine government is also trying to protect all those who have done it… even SIT is in question,” she said.
The investigation is continuing and the SIT is expected to examine the evidence submitted in the case.
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