Ayodhya Ram Temple Cash Embezzlement Probe: Raids at Accused's Homes Over Stolen Donation Funds (Watch Video)
Law enforcement agencies and local magistrates launched simultaneous raids on Sunday at the residences of eight counting staff members arrested in connection with the Ram temple donation theft case. The coordinated operation aims to trace the money trail and investigate family assets acquired over the past four years.
Law enforcement agencies and local magistrates launched simultaneous raids on Sunday at the residences of eight counting staff members arrested in connection with the Ram temple donation theft case. The coordinated operation aims to trace the money trail and investigate family assets acquired over the past four years. While authorities have already recovered nearly ₹80 lakh from the accused, the ongoing probe seeks to determine the total scope of the multi-crore financial embezzlement.
The morning raids were conducted by police teams accompanied by local magistrates and revenue officials serving as independent witnesses. The eight accused—identified as Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ram Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramashankar alias Tinnu Yadav—were arrested last week after CCTV footage caught them embezzling cash from the temple hundis (donation boxes). Who Are the 8 Accused Arrested in Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Case?.
The accused are currently in police custody, which expires on Monday. Officials indicated that they intend to seek an extension of their custody when presenting them before the local court tomorrow to facilitate further questioning and recovery efforts.
The core of the current investigation centers on a sudden and dramatic shift in the economic status of the accused individuals. Investigators are actively compiling a comprehensive inventory of properties, land holdings, jewellery, and bank savings accumulated by the suspects’ families.
Local sources noted that the families of two suspects, Tinnu Yadav and Manish Yadav, did not cooperate with the raiding teams. Meanwhile, investigators are interviewing neighbors to corroborate reports of sudden luxury purchases, such as vehicles and real estate. A relative of one accused, Anukalp Mishra, confirmed to police that the family’s modest financial situation changed drastically after he took up his role with the temple trust. 'Can Employees Alone Pull Off Such a Big Scam?': Priyanka Gandhi Demands Transparent Probe Into Ram Mandir Donation Row.
Police Raid Accused's House in Ram Mandir Donation Case
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Ram Mandir donations alleged embezzlement case | As part of the investigation, Police reach the residence of Anukalp Mishra in Ayodhya, one of the accused in this case. pic.twitter.com/FIwD0vXDbf
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 28, 2026
The mass theft came to light following an interim report submitted by a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Uttar Pradesh government. While an exact missing figure has not been officially declared, estimates suggest that approximately ₹7 crore to ₹7.5 crore is unaccounted for in the temple’s official accounting logs.
Prior to Sunday's raids, the police had successfully recovered ₹79.85 lakh from the suspects. The accused face a stringent combination of charges filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code, including theft by a servant, criminal breach of trust, receiving stolen property, and criminal conspiracy. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has previously stated that anyone found guilty in the donation row will face severe consequences.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 28, 2026 12:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
