Ram temple donation ‘theft’: Police gets 39-hour remand of two accused

In a latest update in the alleged Ram temple donation embezzlement case, a special anti-corruption court has granted a 39-hour police remand of the two remaining key accused.

The move is aimed at allowing investigating officials to question them and help in recovering the stolen cash, valuables and other evidence, PTI reported.

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While the police sought their custody for seven days, the Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) allowed the remand of Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu and his nephew Manish Yadav for 39 hours.

Officials are believed to have questioned the two of them in jail on Thursday and later moved the remand application after getting fresh leads in the matter.

Tinnu was considered close to Champat Rai, former general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

He reportedly used to supervise the temple’s donation boxes, while Manish was involved in counting the offerings.

Earlier, investigating officials recovered ₹1 lakh from Tinnu’s residence and ₹2 lakh from Manish’s house, according to PTI.

Officials said that during their remand, the investigators are expected to take the two of them to multiple locations to question them about the alleged theft, trace additional cash and valuables, and further verify properties allegedly purchased using the siphoned-off money. Prior to this, police interrogated six other accused on custodial remand in the matter.