Simultaneous Raids Across Ayodhya
Ayodhya Police on Sunday conducted simultaneous raids at the residences of all eight individuals arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple, according to police sources. The search operations were carried out by police teams accompanied by local magistrates, targeting the homes of key accused including Lav Kush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, and Ramashankar Yadav.
Background of the Case
The raids come two days after a court in Ayodhya remanded all eight accused to judicial custody until June 29. Police are expected to seek custodial remand when the accused are produced before the court on Monday. The eight accused—Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ram Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramashankar alias Tinnu Yadav—were responsible for counting cash and valuables received as donations at the Ram Temple.
Recoveries and Legal Provisions
According to the prosecution, investigators have so far recovered Rs 79.85 lakh. The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to theft by servant, criminal breach of trust, receiving stolen property, and criminal conspiracy, along with sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
SIT Investigation and FIR
The First Information Report was filed on the recommendation of a preliminary report submitted by a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government after allegations of fund misappropriation at the temple surfaced earlier this month. The SIT's findings prompted the police action, leading to the arrests and subsequent raids.
