The eight accused in the Ram Temple theft case, arrested Thursday night, started spilling the beans. They reportedly disclosed the modus operandi they used to commit the crime.
All the accused were produced in court on Friday afternoon and were then sent to jail under judicial custody till June 29. Police are likely to seek their remand for further investigation.
Before being produced in court, they underwent medical examinations at the hospital located within the Police Lines.
The accused were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) and Civil Judge (Junior Division), Nivedita Singh.
After the court proceedings, all eight accused were sent to the Ayodhya District Jail as they have all been remanded to judicial custody until June 29.
During their preliminary interrogation, these eight conspirators revealed how they conspired to remove the donation.
An FIR has been filed against Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, the driver of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai, Anukalp Mishra and Lavkush Mishra, who are relatives of Trust member Dr Anil Mishra; personnel Manish Yadav, Avinash Shukla, and Karunesh Pandey; and counting in-charge Subhash Srivastava.
All are accused of fraudulently stealing the offerings as part of a conspiracy.
According to sources, approximately Rs 60 lakh have been recovered so far. Tinnu and Subhash have revealed several important secrets to the police about this donation theft process. Several bank officials have been named.
Some unidentified accused are also involved. The police investigation will reveal more evidence, including names other than government bank employees. Evidence of bank employees’ involvement has also been found. The FIR also includes sections related to the involvement of a government official in the theft.
Sources said the theft was carried out as an organized crime. Therefore, after the investigation of the case is complete, Tinnu and the other accused will also be charged under the Gangster Act.
During the interrogation, it was revealed that after extorting the cash and other valuables, Anukul and the other accused would hide them in the bathroom. Later, when they found an opportunity, they would take them outside the temple. Then, the distribution would take place in a house. This scheme had been going on for two to three years.
Based on interrogation and other evidence, it was revealed that Tinnu Yadav and Subhash Srivastava played a major role in this entire conspiracy. Subhash was responsible for overseeing the counting duties, hence, both of them were charged. The SIT included the footage as evidence in the investigation. Now, the police will incorporate this evidence in their investigation.
According to police, the prime accused Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu had influence in every aspect of the temple. He also oversaw the counting process and kept the keys to the counting room. He is a key player in the conspiracy.
Anukul Mishra is the brother-in-law of Lavkush Mishra and a relative of Trust member Dr Anil Mishra. He was responsible for counting the offerings. The stolen money was recovered from his house. Lavkush Mishra is also a relative of Anil Mishra and is Anukul’s brother-in-law. His duty was to count offerings. Stolen money was also recovered from his house.
Manish Yadav is Tinnu Yadav’s nephew. He was involved in the counting process. Stolen money was also recovered from him. Avinash Shukla was also on counting duty. Reports say Rs 5 lakh was recovered from his bank account.
Subhash Srivastava was the counting in-charge and the entire counting process was under his supervision.
Karunesh Pandey and Ramashankar Mishra were involved in the entire conspiracy along with Anukul and Lavkush.
The case came to light on June 6. Trust officials themselves apprehended the suspects and initiated an investigation. Subsequently, an SIT was formed on June 13. The SIT submitted its report to the government on June 23, recommending an FIR.
On Thursday, an FIR was registered at the Ramjanmabhoomi police station based on the complaint of trustee Krishna Mohan.