Police investigating the theft of donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have revealed that the stolen funds were used for share trading and private lending. The disclosure came during a press conference held by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday, shedding light on the financial trail of the accused.
Details of the Scam
According to senior police officials, the accused had diverted a significant portion of the donations collected for the Ram Temple construction into high-risk share trading and private lending schemes. The investigation began after a complaint was filed by temple trust authorities, who noticed discrepancies in the donation records.
Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the case, including a former accountant of the temple trust. The accused are believed to have siphoned off over ₹2 crore (approximately $240,000) over a period of two years.
Modus Operandi
The accused allegedly used fake receipts and manipulated accounting entries to conceal the theft. The money was then transferred to multiple bank accounts controlled by the accused, from where it was used for personal investments. Police recovered documents showing transactions in the stock market and loans given to private individuals at high interest rates.
"The accused were involved in a well-planned conspiracy to loot the temple funds. They used the money for their own financial gains, including share trading and private lending," said Deputy Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Prakash Singh.
Impact on Temple Construction
The theft has raised concerns about the management of funds for the Ram Temple, which is being built at the site of the demolished Babri Masjid. The temple trust has assured devotees that the construction will not be affected, as the stolen amount represents only a small fraction of the total donations received.
However, the incident has sparked outrage among devotees and religious leaders, who have called for stricter oversight of temple finances. The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a comprehensive audit of all temple trusts in the state to prevent similar scams.
"We are committed to ensuring that every rupee donated for the temple is used for its intended purpose. Strict action will be taken against those involved in this crime," said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a statement.
Legal Proceedings
The accused have been charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal breach of trust, cheating, and forgery. They have been remanded to judicial custody and are currently being interrogated to uncover any other individuals involved.
Police are also investigating whether the accused had links to larger financial networks that may have facilitated the laundering of temple funds. The Enforcement Directorate has been roped in to probe potential money laundering aspects.
"We are leaving no stone unturned to bring all culprits to justice. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are likely," added DIG Singh.
