AYODHYA: The investigation into the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has widened, with police now examining the role of around 30 more employees who were involved in counting cash offerings from devotees.
The expanded probe follows the arrest of eight individuals in connection with the case. Investigators are now scrutinising the recruitment process, background details and financial records of employees engaged in handling temple donations to determine whether any acquired assets disproportionate to their known sources of income after joining the cash counting operation.
According to the investigation, nearly 50 people were assigned to count currency notes donated by devotees, with a significant number reportedly recruited through recommendations linked to members or associates of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Authorities are also reviewing the role of senior trust functionaries involved in donation management, although no criminal liability has been established against them so far.
Police believe the case goes beyond an administrative lapse and are examining whether negligence in recruitment and supervision contributed to the alleged thefts. Investigators are analysing financial transactions and verifying the credentials of all employees associated with the donation counting process.
The probe has been strengthened by CCTV footage, which allegedly shows six of the eight arrested accused concealing bundles of currency notes inside their clothes, pockets and shoes while counting donations at the temple’s Pilgrim Facilitation Centre.
The alleged irregularities came to light after discrepancies were detected during routine accounting of donations, prompting the temple administration to approach the police. The Uttar Pradesh government subsequently constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a detailed inquiry.
The controversy also led to the resignations of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra as scrutiny over the temple’s donation management intensified.
Police registered an FIR on June 25 based on a complaint from the trust before arresting eight accused. A preliminary nine page SIT report has since concluded that the alleged thefts were not isolated incidents but were made possible by serious shortcomings in supervision, security measures and cash handling procedures.
