An Ayodhya Court has approved a one-day police remand for three individuals, Lavkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra, and Karunesh Pandey, in connection with the embezzlement case related to donations for the Ram Temple. This decision follows a request from the police, who initially sought a seven-day custody to facilitate further interrogation of the accused. The Investigating Officer asserted that custodial questioning was essential for progressing the investigation.

Prior to this development, a police team had conducted interrogations of five suspects within the jail premises. Information obtained from this questioning prompted the authorities to seek the custody of Lavkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra, and Karunesh Pandey, which resulted in the court’s ruling.

Findings from Special Investigation Team

In a preliminary report submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) uncovered alleged theft and pilferage during the process of counting donations at the temple. The investigation scrutinised various sources of evidence, including CCTV footage, testimonies from officials associated with the trust, bank personnel, security staff, and the records pertaining to the counting process.

The report detailed findings from CCTV footage gathered between April 27 and June 5, which reportedly shows counting personnel attempting to hide cash and bundles of currency notes in their clothing, pockets, and shoes. The footage also indicated the possible involvement of other staff members in facilitating these actions, highlighting serious breaches of trust.

Reportedly, the SIT found approximately seventy instances of suspicious activity during the reviewed timeframe. The evidence suggests that similar irregularities may have transpired even before April 27; however, due to the lack of older CCTV recordings, it was impossible to assess the full extent of these incidents.

Trust Officials Resign Amidst Investigation

The inquiry also revealed inadequacies in security measures that were meant to be in place under the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set forth by the Trust. Procedures such as biometric attendance, restrictions on personal belongings, security checks, and CCTV surveillance were allegedly not enforced effectively.

Additionally, the findings included the identification of individuals who were reportedly involved in these irregularities. The report named Avinash Shukla, Manish Kumar Yadav, Lavkush Mishra, Karunesh Pandey, and Ramashankar Mishra as having prima facie connections to the alleged embezzlement case. Both Avinash Shukla and Manish Kumar Yadav were reportedly seen in multiple recordings engaging in actions related to the concealment of cash.

Following a Trust meeting, Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, the Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, announced the acceptance of resignations from Champat Rai, the General Secretary, and trustee Anil Mishra. The ongoing investigation casts a shadow over the management of donations intended for the construction of the Ram Temple, as multiple layers of scrutiny now surround those involved.

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