Ayodhya: The alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Mandir has taken a fresh turn, with the Special Investigation Team probe reportedly reaching its final stage. According to sources, the SIT has secured evidence, interrogation details and related documents collected during its six-day investigation in seven pen drives.
Sources said around 150 people have come under the scanner during the probe, while action may be recommended against nearly 25 individuals. Several people questioned by the SIT have reportedly been instructed not to leave Ayodhya until further orders.
Reports suggest that those questioned include some individuals associated with the Ram Mandir Trust. Names of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Dr. Anil Mishra has also surfaced in reports. However, no official agency has confirmed any action against them so far.
SIT examines fund use, expenses and land records
The SIT is said to have examined not only the alleged theft of donation money but also the use of funds, suspected unnecessary expenditures and land purchase-related records. The team also reviewed old documents and questioned several bank officials as part of the investigation.
So far, around Rs 2 crore has reportedly been recovered on the basis of information provided by five people arrested or questioned in the case. These include Lavkush, Avnish, Anukalp, Karune and Ramshankar alias Tinnu, who were allegedly linked to the counting of temple donation money.
Gold recovered from trust employee’s residence
Gold was also reportedly recovered from the residence of Trust employee Ramshankar alias Tinnu on June 13. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding the quantity or value of the recovered gold.
The controversy has also triggered a political row. On June 7, former Samajwadi Party minister Pawan Pandey claimed that offerings worth Rs 5 crore to Rs 7.5 crore had been stolen from the Ram Temple. SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav later questioned the government’s silence and demanded an impartial investigation.
Ram Mandir Trust General Secretary Champat Rai has rejected the allegations, saying no such theft has been confirmed. Amid the growing controversy, BJP leader Dr. Rajnish Singh wrote to the Prime Minister demanding a CBI probe. The Prime Minister’s Office later sought a detailed report from the temple trust, according to sources.
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