Ayodhya: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has filed a voluminous chargesheet against eight accused, citing CCTV footage, banking records, mobile chats, call detail records and recoveries as key evidence.
The chargesheet, filed before the Additional District Judge (Anti-Corruption) court in Ayodhya, reportedly runs into around 70,000 pages and details 105 instances of alleged unauthorised removal or concealment of cash during the counting of temple donations. The investigation puts the recovered proceeds of crime at around ₹79.85 lakh.
According to investigators, CCTV footage allegedly shows Avinash Shukla removing money from the counting room on 85 occasions. The chargesheet also records the alleged involvement of other accused in removing or assisting in the removal of donation money.
CCTV footage cited as key evidence
The chargesheet reportedly states that Karunesh Pandey was allegedly seen removing donation money twice and assisting others on 68 occasions. Manish Yadav was allegedly seen removing money 16 times and assisting others 19 times.
Similarly, Lavkush Mishra was allegedly captured removing money once and assisting others on 52 occasions, while Anukalp Mishra was allegedly seen assisting co-accused 56 times. Ramashankar Mishra was allegedly captured removing donation money once.
The SIT has also examined call detail records and mobile communications. Investigators said the CDRs indicated that the accused were in regular contact with one another during the period in which the alleged irregularities took place.
Money trail under investigation
The investigation also traced the alleged financial trail of the diverted funds. According to the chargesheet, investigators examined bank accounts in which cash was allegedly deposited before being used for various transactions.
The SIT has alleged that the money was used for purchasing vehicles, land and houses. It has also referred to recoveries of ornaments and other assets from the accused.
The chargesheet reportedly states that ₹43.43 lakh was spent by Lavkush Mishra on a house and land. It also alleges that the father of Anukalp Mishra used money linked to the alleged offence to purchase a house.
Forensic audit of donation handling
A forensic audit was conducted as part of the investigation to examine the collection, counting, depositing and accounting of donations. The auditors also examined the audited financial statements of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The SIT’s findings indicate that the alleged cash diversion occurred during the counting process inside the counting facility, while investigators reportedly found no evidence of pilferage during the subsequent transfer of the money to banks.
Trust general secretary Champat Rai, former Trust administrator Gopal Rao, former trustee Anil Mishra and interim General Secretary Krishna Mohan have been listed as witnesses in the chargesheet, according to officials.
Eight accused named
The eight accused named in the case are:
- Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu
- Ramashankar Mishra
- Manish Yadav
- Anukalp Mishra
- Avinash Shukla
- Karunesh Pandey
- Lavkush Mishra
- Subhash Srivastava
They face charges including criminal breach of trust and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, according to reports on the chargesheet.
The case was registered in June after a preliminary inquiry flagged suspected diversion of temple donations. The SIT investigation was subsequently conducted under Supreme Court scrutiny, with CCTV footage, witness statements, financial records and forensic examination forming part of the evidence.
