Eight Arrested in Ram Temple Donation Embezzlement Case in Ayodhya
Eight individuals have been apprehended in connection with alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, as confirmed by local police on Saturday. The arrests came following the filing of a First Information Report (FIR), which lists charges including theft, criminal breach of trust, cheating, and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The accused are identified as Lavkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Manish Yadav, Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Subhash Chandra Srivastava, and Karunesh Pandey. Notably, one of the arrested individuals is a close associate of Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
According to the FIR, the accused were responsible for the handling of cash and valuables donated by devotees, and it is alleged that they misappropriated funds collected from donation boxes placed within the temple premises. The revelations have sparked outrage among opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh, who claim that influential figures like Champat Rai and trust member Dr. Anil Mishra are being shielded by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Government Response and Public Reaction
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has addressed the matter, asserting that actions are being taken based on the report from the Special Investigation Team (SIT). He emphasized, “Ayodhya is a symbol of faith for all of us, learn to follow the dignity practiced by Shri Ram. I had said that action will be taken after the SIT report comes, the SIT report has come, action has started,” during a public meeting in Deoria.
The Chief Minister criticized the opposition for their objections, stating that their intentions are suspect. He accused them of previously questioning the existence of Lord Ram and remarked, “These are the same people who used to fire bullets at Shri Ram, you will tell us about faith,” indicating a long-standing political rivalry over the temple issue.
Details of the FIR and Ongoing Investigation
The FIR was officially lodged on June 26, 2026, stemming from an initial investigation conducted by the Uttar Pradesh government’s SIT. This initiative was launched at the behest of Krishna Mohan, a trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, after they recommended a formal inquiry.
The case includes numerous legal provisions, such as sections concerning theft by a clerk or servant, criminal breach of trust, and dishonestly receiving stolen property. The controversy first emerged on June 7, prompting the formation of the SIT on June 13, with a preliminary report delivered to the state government by June 23.
On the evening of June 25, an FIR was filed, which ultimately led to the arrests confirmed by Ayodhya police. Reports indicate that social media buzz regarding the accused intensified after Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav raised the issue, escalating it into a significant political controversy involving various parties, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Aam Aadmi Party.
Roles of the Accused
Subhash Chandra Srivastava was reportedly responsible for overseeing cash-counting staff, while others participated in various capacities in the counting of donated cash and valuables. Among those named is Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav, a former driver for the Trust’s general secretary, who denied any wrongdoing and attributed the accusations to “jealous people.”
Despite attempts by reporters to reach out to senior Trust officials like Champat Rai and Anil Mishra for their comments, no responses were obtained. The investigation continues under the supervision of a three-member SIT led by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant.
