Ram Mandir donation theft probe reveals bank staff involvement and cash‑hiding methods

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has uncovered the involvement of State Bank of India (SBI) employees. Two bank staff, identified as Ratnesh Chaturvedi and Gagandeep, supervised the counting and deposit of cash and are accused of forming human shields to block CCTV cameras, manipulating donation registers to under‑report by 4‑5 lakh rupees, and withdrawing the shortfall.

An arrested accused, Avinash Shukla, told investigators that stolen cash was hidden in temple washrooms to avoid surveillance before being removed. Other suspects held keys to the counting room, and the investigation is tracing financial assets, including a rapidly built two‑story house linked to accused Lavkush Mishra. So far eight people have been arrested, and the SIT is examining possible collusion by senior bank officials and former trustees, though no official link to the trust’s leadership has been confirmed.