Even as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) delves into the embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple, recent disclosures highlight a significant nexus within the temple staff. The investigations expose how the staff breached norms and exploited the trust of devotees for personal gain.
The probe has uncovered substantial amounts of cash seized from seven out of eight accused individuals. While reports suggest that crores of money and valuables were misappropriated, an official record documents a theft of Rs 79.85 lakh.
Documents submitted to the court by the investigating team reveal the extent of cash recoveries from Lavkush and Anukalp Mishra. Notably, Ram Shankar Yadav, known as Tinnu Yadav, was found concealing Rs 1 lakh in cash, becoming a central figure in the alleged loot.
The accused Avinash Shukla was found with the highest amount of cash, totaling Rs 20.39 lakh, obtained illicitly from temple offerings. The police also discovered dollars and yellow metals in his possession, indicating a significant accumulation from the temple donations.
Karunesh Pandey, another accused, had a substantial cash recovery in various denominations. Official records show that the police seized Rs 18.07 lakh in cash from him, obtained through questionable means.
Ramashankar Mishra was found hoarding illegal wealth amounting to Rs 7.32 lakh, including white metals like silver. His cash stash comprised denominations of Rs 500, Rs 200, Rs 20, and Rs 10, pointing towards misappropriated offerings.
Two other accused, Manish Kumar Yadav and Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, were also found in possession of diverted cash from devotees’ offerings. The arrests of these individuals followed the establishment of the SIT panel to investigate the conspiracy to siphon off cash and valuables from the Ram temple’s donation boxes.
