Ram Temple Thefts: SIT Faults Supervisory Lapses After CCTV Shows Staff Stashing Donations In Clothing

Ayodhya: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in donations to the Ram Temple has concluded in its preliminary report that repeated thefts occurred inside the temple’s donation‑counting room, blaming the losses on “serious supervisory failures” and widespread breaches of required security procedures.

The report, which Hindustan Times has seen and which was presented to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday, urged that criminal cases be lodged against six cash‑counting employees — all arrested — and recommended further inquiries into the conduct of supervisory staff and others charged with enforcing security norms.

CCTV Shows Repeated Concealment

According to the SIT, CCTV recordings from April 27 to June 5, 2026 capture roughly 70 instances in which counting‑room workers were observed slipping bundles of currency and loose notes into clothing, pockets and shoes. The team said the pattern suggested the thefts were ongoing and systematic, not one‑off events.

Earlier Footage Missing

Investigators warned the actual extent of the alleged pilferage could be higher because earlier recordings were not available — footage before April 27 had been overwritten due to limited storage, the report noted. Statements from the accused and examination of their bank activity indicate similar conduct may have taken place prior to the preserved recording window.

Six Named; Two Repeatedly Seen Hiding Cash

The SIT identified Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Ramashankar Mishra as the six individuals whose roles were prima facie established through video, recovery records and financial evidence. The panel said Avinash Shukla and Manish Kumar Yadav were repeatedly seen concealing currency, while the others were accused of assisting or facilitating the thefts on multiple occasions. All six have been detained.

Cash, Valuables Seized

Before the SIT was formed, the trust reportedly recovered about ₹2.79 crore, along with foreign currency, jewellery and other valuables from persons linked to the counting process. The report also recorded that ₹2.25 lakh was recovered from a washroom next to the counting room on June 4.

Deposits Don’t Match Income

The investigators flagged significant mismatches between the accused employees’ stated incomes and deposits in their bank accounts. Counting staff earned about ₹20,000 a month (approximately ₹15,000 after deductions), yet the SIT found unusually large cash deposits, fixed deposits and other transactions that suggested diverted funds were channelled through personal and relatives’ accounts.

SOP Breaches Enabled Thefts

The report detailed numerous violations of the Standard Operating Procedure jointly drafted by the trust and the State Bank of India for donation handling. It said mandatory frisking at entry and exit points was not conducted; pocketless uniforms were not enforced; personal items were allowed into the counting room; biometric attendance systems were ineffective; donations from separate hundis were mixed prior to counting; denomination‑wise records were not maintained; and CCTV was not used proactively to deter wrongdoing.

“These lapses collectively created an environment that enabled repeated theft of donation money,” the SIT observed, stressing the cumulative effect of the procedural failures.

Senior Officials’ Roles Questioned

The panel questioned the role of senior trust functionaries in the lapses. It singled out Anil Mishra, who had represented the trust when framing the SOP with the bank, saying he knew frisking and other safeguards were not being followed yet did not take corrective steps, and attributing “senior supervisory responsibility” to him. Anil Mishra has resigned since the findings.

Subhash Srivastava, the counting‑room in‑charge, was accused of “gross negligence,” the SIT said, alleging he failed to enforce frisking, supervise staff or ensure compliance with mandatory security measures. The report also highlighted Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu for retaining keys to donation boxes without formal authorisation and noted that his relative, Manish Kumar Yadav, was later appointed to a counting‑related role and subsequently implicated in the thefts.

SOP Revisions & Ignored Audit Warnings

The SIT questioned why a February 2025 amendment to the SOP downgraded mandatory frisking to “regular/random” checks, and observed that even those diluted provisions were not put into practice. Internal audit reports from 2022–23 through 2025–26, the SIT noted, had repeatedly warned about poor documentation, inadequate CCTV coverage and the need to preserve surveillance footage for 180 days — recommendations that the team said were disregarded.

Silver‑Brick Claims Unproven

Addressing social‑media allegations that donated silver bricks and other valuables had gone missing, the SIT said its review of trust documentation and physical checks did not substantiate those claims. The trust told the meeting that all items and valuables were logged and could be shown to donors.

Report Seeks Prosecutions

The SIT emphasised that the report is preliminary. It suggested registering criminal cases against the six accused under statutes covering theft, criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation, possession of stolen property, conspiracy and related offences. It also called for inquiries into supervisory personnel, including Subhash Srivastava and Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, for alleged conspiracy, abetment, common intention and gross dereliction of duty that may have enabled the offences.

The team said investigations into administrative accountability, institutional weaknesses, handling of gold and silver offerings, and options for long‑term system reforms are ongoing. The state government has extended the SIT’s deadline to file its final report to July 15.