Eight individuals, including a school teacher, a car mechanic, and a temple aide, have been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of cash offerings from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, according to police sources. The accused, mostly contract workers hired through an outsourcing agency, are accused of exploiting their roles in the temple's donation management system to siphon off funds over an extended period.
Details of the Alleged Scheme
Police sources revealed that the accused systematically manipulated donation records to divert cash offerings meant for the temple. The theft is believed to have occurred over several months, with the total amount stolen yet to be fully determined. The outsourcing agency responsible for hiring these workers is also under scrutiny for lapses in background checks and supervision.
Arrests and Investigation
All eight suspects were taken into custody following a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh Police and temple authorities. The arrested include a teacher from a local school, a car mechanic who worked in a nearby garage, and a temple aide who had direct access to donation boxes. Police have recovered a portion of the stolen money and are tracing the remaining funds. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining financial records and interviewing other temple staff.
Impact on Temple Operations
The Ram Mandir trust has stated that it is cooperating fully with the investigation and has implemented additional security measures to prevent future incidents. A spokesperson for the trust said, "We are deeply saddened by these events and are committed to ensuring full transparency in donation management." The temple continues to operate as usual, but donation collection procedures have been tightened.
