AYODHYA: The Ayodhya Police are preparing to move court to seek the custodial remand of three more accused as the investigation intensifies into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
Police officials stated that they will seek the custody of Karunesh Pandey, Anukalp Mishra, and Lav Kush Mishra for detailed interrogation in connection with the ongoing probe.
This development follows a preliminary report submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which found prima facie evidence of theft and pilferage during the counting of temple donations.
The SIT inquiry examined CCTV footage, bank records, seizure documents, the memorandum of understanding (MoU), and standard operating procedures (SOPs). It also recorded the statements of trust officials, bank officers, security personnel, and counting staff.
According to the report, available CCTV footage from April 27 to June 5 repeatedly shows certain counting personnel concealing bundles of currency notes and loose cash inside their clothes, pockets, shoes, and other hidden places. The footage also caught other employees appearing to assist or shield these activities.
The SIT documented around 70 instances of alleged theft or pilferage during this specific period. The report added that based on employee statements and discrepancies between the counted cash and actual bank deposits, similar incidents may have occurred before April 27. However, the exact extent could not be assessed due to the absence of older CCTV footage.
Furthermore, the report revealed that prescribed security protocols under the trust’s SOPs—including frisking, biometric attendance, restrictions on personal belongings, and active CCTV monitoring—were not effectively implemented.
Based on financial documents, recovery records, witness statements, and the footage, the SIT has identified Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, and Ramashankar Mishra as having prima facie involvement. The report noted that Avinash Shukla and Manish Kumar Yadav were repeatedly seen removing or concealing cash, while the others assisted or engaged in similar acts.
Meanwhile, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj announced that following a Trust meeting, the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra have been accepted.
