Ram Temple Donation Theft: SIT Finds Nearly 70 Alleged Cases Of Cash Pilferage
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple has uncovered what appears to be repeated incidents of cash pilferage inside the temple’s donation counting room.
A preliminary report submitted to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has highlighted serious security failures and recommended further criminal action against those involved.
According to the findings, investigators reviewed CCTV footage recorded between April 27 and June 5, 2026. The footage allegedly captured nearly 70 separate incidents in which cash-counting staff were seen hiding currency bundles and loose cash inside their clothes, pockets, and shoes.
Officials believe the pattern suggests that the thefts may have continued over an extended period rather than being isolated incidents.
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So far, six cash-counting employees have been arrested in connection with the case. They have been identified as Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, and Ramashankar Mishra.
The SIT has stated that CCTV footage, recovered cash, and financial records provide preliminary evidence linking them to the alleged thefts.
The investigation has also raised concerns that the total amount misappropriated could be much higher.
Since the CCTV system automatically deleted older recordings due to limited storage, investigators could not examine footage from before April 27. Statements from the accused and an analysis of their financial transactions indicate that similar activities may have taken place even earlier.
The report reveals that the temple trust had already recovered around ₹2.79 crore before the SIT was constituted.
Investigators also recovered foreign currency, jewellery, and other valuables connected to people involved in the donation counting process. In a separate recovery, ₹2.25 lakh in cash was reportedly found hidden inside a washroom near the counting room.
The SIT is now closely examining the financial records of the accused after finding bank deposits and fixed deposits that appeared disproportionate to their reported salaries.
Officials suspect that some of the donation money may have been routed through the personal bank accounts of the accused and their family members. The financial trail is being investigated to determine whether a larger network was involved.
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Apart from the alleged theft, the report points to major security lapses that may have allowed the misappropriation to continue unnoticed.
Investigators found that mandatory frisking of staff was not consistently carried out, employees were allowed to carry personal belongings into the counting room, and pocketless uniforms were not enforced.
CCTV cameras were used mainly for recording footage instead of actively monitoring the counting process, reducing oversight.
The SIT has also questioned changes made to the temple’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in 2025, when mandatory frisking was replaced with random checks. According to the report, even these relaxed security measures were not implemented properly.
The investigation is still underway, and officials are expected to examine the role of supervisors and other officials responsible for overseeing the donation counting process. Further action is likely after the final investigation report is submitted.
(With inputs from agencies)
