Ayodhya: The investigation into the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has found that offerings were allegedly stolen at least 70 times over a period of 40 days, with all the reported incidents occurring during the evening donation-counting shift, according to sources familiar with the police investigation.

The findings have prompted the temple administration to revise its donation-counting system by replacing the earlier two-shift arrangement with a single daytime shift to strengthen oversight and reduce the risk of irregularities.

Alleged thefts linked to evening counting shift

According to sources, the alleged incidents occurred between 2 pm and 9 pm, when donations were counted during the second shift.

Previously, temple donations were counted in two shifts:

  • 6 am to 2 pm
  • 2 pm to 9 pm

Following the investigation, authorities have introduced a single-shift system, with counting now taking place only between 9 am and 6 pm.

Officials said the change was made after investigators found that the alleged thefts were confined to the evening counting period.

Police question accused

Police said details about the alleged incidents emerged during the custodial interrogation of four accused:

  • Avinash Shukla
  • Anukalp Mishra
  • Lav Kush Mishra
  • Karunesh Pandey

According to investigators, Avinash Shukla is alleged to have been involved in more than 50 of the 70 reported thefts, making him the principal accused in the case.

The investigation further alleges that Shukla and Anukalp Mishra assisted each other during several of the incidents.

Officials also claimed that donations were allegedly stolen more than once on certain days, with investigators identifying instances where two alleged thefts occurred in a single day and five occasions on which three alleged thefts reportedly took place in one day.

The allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation.

Temple committee responds

Speaking to reporters in Ayodhya, Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra said devotees had not expressed dissatisfaction with the temple’s management or religious arrangements.

He said pilgrims visiting the temple continued to show strong faith and confidence in the institution.

Mishra also dismissed reports suggesting that the number of devotees visiting the temple had declined, describing such claims as rumours.

According to him, interactions with visitors indicate that public faith in the temple remains unaffected.

SIT constituted after allegations surfaced

The Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13 following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust after allegations of irregularities in donation handling emerged.

The controversy began on June 7, when Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple after reported discrepancies were noticed during the counting of offerings.

The SIT’s preliminary inquiry found prima facie evidence of financial irregularities, leading to the registration of an FIR and the arrest of eight individuals associated with the temple’s donation-counting process.

Administrative changes and audit ordered

The investigation has also resulted in administrative changes within the temple trust.

Former General Secretary Champat Rai resigned from his position, and his resignation was accepted on July 6.

Officials clarified that none of the trust’s three former office-bearers has been named as an accused in the FIR.

Meanwhile, the SIT has identified alleged shortcomings in personnel frisking, supervisory oversight and CCTV surveillance during the donation-counting process.

Investigators have also ordered:

  • A fresh audit of the trust’s accounts covering the past five years
  • A review of expenditure incurred on major events during the last two years

The investigation is continuing, and authorities are expected to examine additional evidence as part of the ongoing probe.