Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft: SIT files massive chargesheet

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has filed a massive chargesheet in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case. The documentation, which varies in reports between approximately 36,000 and 74,000 pages, was submitted to an anti-corruption court in Ayodhya. The investigation involves eight accused individuals: Subhash Srivastava, Ram Shankar Yadav (alias Tinnu), Anukalp Mishra, Ramashankar Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Manish Kumar Yadav, Lavkush Mishra, and Karunesh Pandey.

Investigators identified 105 specific instances where temple offerings were allegedly unauthorizedly removed or concealed during the counting process at the Pilgrim Facility Centre. While the SIT found no evidence of theft during the subsequent transfer of funds to banks, they uncovered evidence of cash siphoning during the internal counting phase. A forensic audit and analysis of CCTV footage were central to the probe.

The chargesheet includes allegations of criminal breach of trust and violations of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Authorities have scrutinized the bank accounts, properties, and vehicles of the accused to trace the money trail. Several bail applications for the suspects have already been rejected by the court.