Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft: SIT files chargesheet

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has filed a voluminous 73,480-page chargesheet in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft case. The investigation alleges a syndicate was involved in diverting cash offerings during the counting process.

CCTV footage reportedly captured 105 instances of unauthorized cash removal or concealment. Among the eight accused, Avinash Shukla (alias Shani) is alleged to have removed money on 85 separate occasions. Other accused include Karunesh Pandey, Manish Kumar Yadav, Lavkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra, Rama Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramashankar Yadav.

Police have recovered approximately Rs 79.85 lakh from seven of the accused, while investigations into bank accounts revealed Rs 98 lakh in deposits. The chargesheet includes digital evidence such as mobile chats, call detail records, and banking transactions.

Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust officials Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao have been given a clean chit and named as prosecution witnesses. The chargesheet, filed in an anti-corruption court, invokes provisions related to criminal breach of trust and the Prevention of Corruption Act.