SIT uncovers multiple SOP violations in Ram temple donation handling
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya has found serious lapses in the shrine's donation management system. According to sources citing the SIT's preliminary report, standard operating procedures (SOPs) such as deploying security guards during counting, frisking personnel, and preserving CCTV footage for 180 days were blatantly violated. Eight individuals involved in counting cash and valuables have been arrested.
Key violations include key access by former driver
Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav, the former driver of trust general secretary Champat Rai, held keys to several donation boxes (hundis), in violation of rules. "Many hundis were there. So cash received in those hundis whose keys were with Tinnu was swindled apparently due to laxity in implementing the SOPs. The exact modus operandi is still being established," a source said. The SOPs, finalized in 2025 after trust officials suspected irregularities, were signed by trust member Anil Mishra and State Bank of India's Govind Mishra. They included a dress code (no pockets), deployment of a security guard, regular frisking, and random checks—none of which were followed.
CCTV footage retention and other lapses
Another major violation: CCTV footage of the donation counting process was retained for only 45 days instead of the mandated 180 days. Donation counting in-charge Subhash Srivastava was appointed on the recommendation of one of the top three trust functionaries, according to the SIT report.
Controversy sparked by Akhilesh Yadav's allegations
The controversy erupted on June 7 when Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged embezzlement. Trust general secretary Champat Rai dismissed the claims, stating, "Nothing noteworthy has come to light during the ongoing internal audit." However, the SIT, constituted on June 13 under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's orders, appeared to prove Rai wrong. Sources said the findings point to a major "overhaul" of the temple management setup.
SIT report leads to FIR and arrests
The SIT submitted its preliminary report on June 23, just six days after its formation. An FIR was registered on June 25, and eight accused—Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav—were arrested. Police said Tinnu Yadav employed his relative, co-accused Manish Kumar Yadav, at the cash-counting unit. All eight have been sent to judicial custody. Nearly Rs 80 lakh in cash and some foreign currency has been recovered from six of the accused so far.
Additional recovery and embarrassment for trust
Before the SIT was formed, Rs 2.5 lakh was recovered from a washroom near the donation counting room. Sources described the disclosures as "hugely embarrassing" for the trust management, which remained unaware of the alleged fraud. The Ram temple has seen a massive influx of devotees since its consecration on January 22, 2024, especially during the Maha Kumbh, leading to huge cash and valuable offerings.
