Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Case: Custody of Eight Accused Extended Till September 21

The judicial custody of all eight accused arrested in connection with the alleged theft and embezzlement of devotees’ donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya has been extended until September 21, as the investigation into the case continues. The Anti-Corruption Court in Ayodhya has directed police to produce the case diary and investigation report at the next hearing.

The order was passed by Special Judge Rajat Verma. Defence lawyer Kul Shekhar Singh said the bail applications had been deferred as the investigating officer had not submitted the required report. The eight accused are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ram Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ramashankar alias Tinnu Yadav. Most were bank employees associated with donation counting, while Srivastava supervised the process and Tinnu Yadav worked as a driver. The prosecution says investigators have recovered ₹79.85 lakh.

The case began in June after allegations of irregularities in handling temple donations. The Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member SIT on June 13, headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, with Lucknow Range IG Kiran S and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan as members. Its preliminary report, submitted on June 23, led to an FIR on June 25 and the subsequent arrests.

The SIT examined 45 days of CCTV footage and reportedly identified around 70 suspected instances involving the alleged concealment of cash by counting personnel. The investigation also flagged shortcomings in frisking, CCTV retention, supervision, record-keeping and cash-handling procedures, including weaknesses in tracking donations from individual hundis and the movement of cash to banks.

The controversy has since expanded beyond the eight arrests. The Supreme Court has sought progress reports and directed the inclusion of a forensic auditor in the investigation. A second SIT headed by IG Kiran S is examining the evidence and financial trail, with statements from around 100 people reportedly recorded.

The first SIT later submitted its final report, identifying administrative and supervisory lapses but reportedly not naming former trust general secretary Champat Rai or trustee Anil Mishra as accused. Earlier, a 2020 audit had also recommended stronger procedures for transactions, data management, staffing and accountability.

Meanwhile, the temple trust is moving towards technology-based donation counting to reduce manual handling. Srivastava has claimed he was falsely implicated, while his counsel says others involved in counting should also be examined.

The September 21 hearing is expected to bring further clarity on the investigation and pending bail pleas. The allegations remain under judicial consideration, and no guilt has been established against the accused.