The controversy surrounding alleged embezzlement of donations at Ayodhya's Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has escalated following revelations that the State Bank of India (SBI) had flagged concerns about the temple's cash-counting staff nearly three months before the scam became public.
SBI had reportedly suspected irregularities in the handling of cash donations and recommended replacing the outsourced employees responsible for counting funds collected from temple donation boxes. However, this proposed change was allegedly halted due to intervention from individuals associated with the Trust.
SIT Uncovers Fraud, Leading to Arrests
The issue gained national attention after the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13, at the request of the Trust. The SIT's preliminary inquiry uncovered significant irregularities in the management of cash and other valuables.
Based on these findings, police registered an FIR on June 25 and subsequently arrested eight individuals allegedly involved in the fraud. The workers engaged in counting donations were hired by SBI through an outsourcing agency, earning monthly salaries between ₹12,000 and ₹15,000. The agency had reportedly begun the process of replacing them when Trust-linked officials intervened.
Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned the delay, stating, "Three months ago, the SBI had recommended that those posted at the counting centre be removed. Who has been protecting them?"
Senior SBI officials also faced scrutiny from temple management regarding the use of outsourced staff instead of permanent bank employees for the counting process.
Key Accused and Political Fallout
Among those arrested are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramashankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav. Investigators have identified Tinnu Yadav as the alleged mastermind, claiming he helped secure a position for a relative within the temple's cash-counting unit. Yadav also served as the driver for Trust general secretary Champat Rai.
Authorities have so far recovered nearly ₹80 lakh in cash and foreign currency from six of the accused. Opposition parties, however, allege that donations exceeding ₹200 crore may have been misappropriated. The growing controversy has also led to resignations, with Champat Rai and senior Trust functionary Anil Mishra reportedly offering to step down amidst intense scrutiny.