The investigation into the alleged Ram Mandir offering theft case has uncovered fresh details regarding the recruitment and deployment of personnel involved in counting temple donations. According to the ongoing probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the police, a list of 46 workers associated with the donation counting process was reportedly forwarded by the then Chief Manager of the State Bank of India (SBI) to a private security agency. Investigators are now examining whether the recruitment and salary disbursement of these workers complied with the prescribed procedures.
According to investigators, the list was sent to Sainik Security Company with instructions to engage all the individuals named in it, complete the necessary employment formalities, and facilitate the release of their salaries. The probe is now examining the circumstances under which the list was prepared and forwarded, as well as the role of the bank and other authorities in the recruitment process.
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Officials said that under the normal outsourcing system, a manpower agency independently recruits personnel and deploys them as required by the client institution. However, investigators suspect that the established procedure may have been bypassed in this case. Preliminary findings indicate that the 46 individuals were officially appointed as housekeeping staff, while they were allegedly assigned the responsibility of counting offerings received at the temple.
The SIT is also examining whether the recommendation process that preceded the appointments complied with applicable administrative norms. According to sources cited in the investigation, the temple trust had initially approached the bank, following which the then SBI Chief Manager allegedly sent the list of workers to the security agency. Investigators are reviewing whether any procedural lapses or irregularities occurred during this process.
The investigation has further revealed that six individuals from the same list—Anukalp, Lavkush, Manish, Avinash, Karunesh and Ramashankar—have been accused of involvement in the alleged theft of temple offerings worth several crores of rupees. Following their arrests, Sainik Security Company terminated their services. The remaining 40 personnel on the list are reportedly still employed, and investigators are examining their roles as part of the broader inquiry.
Authorities are also looking into the previous engagement of these workers through JP Security, the agency that had earlier supplied manpower for the temple. According to preliminary findings, the agency was later replaced following issues related to salary payments. Investigators are now verifying claims that the earlier recruitment process may also have been carried out on the basis of recommendations rather than through the standard outsourcing mechanism.
The case has also coincided with recent administrative changes within the temple trust. On July 6, the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra were accepted, after which trust member Krishna Mohan was assigned the responsibilities of Interim General Secretary. He has also been entrusted with operating the trust’s bank accounts. Chandan Rai and engineer Jagdish Afale have been assigned to assist in managing the trust’s banking operations.
According to sources, Chandan Rai has been associated with the trust’s audit and financial matters for a considerable period, while Jagdish Afale has also been involved in administrative functions. Investigators are reviewing financial records, banking documents, recruitment files, salary payment records and other documentary evidence to establish whether any procedural violations or criminal liability arose during the appointment and deployment of the outsourced personnel.
The investigation remains ongoing. All allegations are subject to verification through the investigative process, and any determination of criminal liability will depend on the evidence collected and the outcome of judicial proceedings.
