The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya has widened following fresh disclosures made during the custodial interrogation of arrested accused Avinash Shukla. According to police, investigators suspect that cash allegedly siphoned off during the donation counting process was first concealed inside washrooms within the temple complex and later smuggled out in small quantities over time to avoid detection. Police are now verifying these claims through CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and witness statements.
After obtaining permission from the court, police questioned Avinash Shukla for nearly two hours inside the district jail. During the interrogation, investigators confronted him with CCTV footage, witness testimonies, and other evidence collected during the probe. Police claim that the questioning yielded fresh information, prompting a broader reconstruction of the alleged sequence of events.
According to investigators, the accused and his alleged associates had carefully studied the layout of the donation counting centre before carrying out the alleged conspiracy. Police believe they examined CCTV camera locations, entry and exit routes, and staff movement patterns in advance. Investigators suspect that cash allegedly removed during the counting process was temporarily hidden inside washrooms within the temple premises before being taken out in small installments to minimise suspicion. Authorities are reconstructing the movement of the cash inside the complex and are preparing to question sanitation and maintenance staff to determine whether they noticed any suspicious activity.
The investigation is also focusing on the alleged misuse of CCTV blind spots. Police suspect that while one accused allegedly removed cash, other members of the group positioned themselves around him to obstruct the cameras’ field of vision, effectively creating a human shield. Investigators are examining whether this method was deliberately used to conceal the alleged theft from surveillance cameras.
During interrogation, investigators were also told that one of the two keys to the highly secured donation counting room allegedly remained with co-accused Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, while the second key was held by bank officials supervising the counting process. Police are now examining whether access to the key may have been misused and whether it facilitated any unauthorised entry into the counting room.
The financial aspect of the case has also come under closer scrutiny. Investigators are examining land transactions, hostel properties, residential assets, bank accounts, and other financial records linked to the accused to determine whether the allegedly misappropriated donation money was invested in immovable properties or other assets. Officials are verifying property documents, banking transactions, and known sources of income as part of the ongoing investigation.
According to police, cash recoveries made so far from the arrested accused total ₹79.85 lakh, in addition to 1,121 US dollars, gold chains, rings, and silver jewellery. Investigators claim that the largest recovery was made from Avinash Shukla, while varying amounts of cash were allegedly recovered from the other arrested individuals. So far, eight people—Avinash Shukla, Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Karunesh Pandey, Manish Yadav, Ramashankar Mishra, and Subhash Srivastava—have been arrested in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has granted the Special Investigation Team (SIT) additional time until July 15 to submit its final report. Police have also carried out searches at the village residence of accused Lav Kush Mishra and continue to look for further evidence. The investigation remains ongoing. The allegations against the accused are yet to be tested in court, and neither the registration of an FIR nor an arrest constitutes proof of guilt. The final determination will be made by the competent court based on the evidence presented during the judicial proceedings.
