Ayodhya: Employees entrusted with counting devotees’ offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya allegedly embezzled between Rs 2 crore and Rs 3 crore by exploiting lapses in surveillance and security procedures, according to findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.

The investigation has revealed that what reportedly began with staff members concealing a few Rs 500 notes in their clothing gradually escalated into the theft of bundles of cash from the temple’s donation-counting centre.

The alleged irregularities came to light after discrepancies were detected in the temple’s donation-counting system, prompting an investigation that has led to multiple arrests, recovery of cash and jewellery, and scrutiny of the procedures governing the handling of donations.

Theft allegedly escalated over time

According to investigators, six employees engaged in counting donations began stealing within two to three months of joining the system.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted that they initially smuggled one or two Rs 500 notes out of the counting facility. As the thefts went unnoticed, they reportedly became more confident and eventually began taking bundles of cash.

The SIT estimates that the group collectively misappropriated between Rs 2 crore and Rs 3 crore over a period of time.

CCTV monitoring and security lapses exposed

The investigation has highlighted serious shortcomings in the enforcement of security measures inside the donation-counting facility.

According to the SIT, the accused exploited weak monitoring of CCTV cameras, with the surveillance control room reportedly remaining unattended at times, reducing oversight.

Investigators said the issue was not the absence of safeguards but the failure to enforce existing procedures.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and the State Bank of India (SBI) had already established detailed protocols through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and official meetings held during 2024 and 2025.

These guidelines required:

  • Opening donation boxes only in the presence of authorised Trust and SBI representatives.
  • Separate counting of cash from each donation box.
  • Mandatory biometric attendance for staff.
  • Prescribed uniforms for employees.
  • Prohibition of personal belongings inside the counting room.
  • Frisking of employees during entry and exit.
  • Continuous CCTV monitoring and daily documentation.

However, investigators found that several of these safeguards were either ignored or inadequately implemented.

One of the key findings was that routine and surprise frisking of staff, made mandatory under SOPs issued in February 2025, was reportedly not carried out consistently.

Appointments under scrutiny

The SIT has also examined how some of the accused were recruited into the donation-counting system.

According to the preliminary report, Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Ramashankar Mishra were employed through Sainik Security Services (SSS), an agency outsourced by SBI.

Investigators alleged that all six appointments were made based on recommendations from individuals associated with the temple trust.

The report specifically refers to Manish Kumar Yadav, who was allegedly recommended by his uncle Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu, whom investigators claim exercised considerable influence over the donation-counting process.

The SIT said CCTV footage from May 11 onwards allegedly captured Manish repeatedly stealing donation money.

Cash, jewellery and property purchases investigated

Investigators have also traced assets allegedly acquired using the misappropriated funds.

According to the SIT, seven accused purchased properties in Ayodhya and other locations using money stolen from temple donations.

Authorities recovered approximately Rs 79 lakh in cash and jewellery during searches conducted in early June, with additional cash seized following subsequent arrests.

Officials are verifying the recovered jewellery. Items supported by valid purchase records or evidence of being received as gifts may be returned to family members, while unexplained assets could be treated as proceeds of crime.

Former trust member may be named accused

The investigation has also widened beyond the employees directly accused of theft.

According to sources, preparations are underway to name former Ram Temple Trust member Anil Mishra as an accused based on the SIT’s findings.

Investigators reportedly believe that despite being aware of the alleged thefts, effective preventive measures were not taken. He may therefore face allegations of conspiracy, although no formal charges have been announced so far.

The SIT’s findings suggest that the alleged multi-crore embezzlement resulted not only from individual acts of theft but also from failures in implementing safeguards intended to protect devotees’ offerings.