Ram Temple donation row: 8 arrested include cash counting staff, ex-bank official

Ayodhya: All eight people named in the FIR over alleged embezzlement of donations and offerings at the Ram temple in Ayodhya have been arrested. The arrests followed registration of an FIR over charges of pilferage at the grand temple.

The case stemmed from a formal complaint filed by Shri Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust.

All the eight accused, namely Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu were associated with the counting of cash and valuables received as donations. They were allegedly caught embezzling valuables on camera.

Here are details of the 8 accused, held over the donation row:

Ram Shankar Yadav

Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav is the key accused in alleged theft at the Ram Temple. His alleged links with Ram Temple Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai shot him into the limelight and added fuel to the controversy.

He is said to be a former driver of Champat Rai. Startling charges were made against him, with many claiming that he diverted temple funds to the tune of Rs 50 crore for building a lavish home.

Sources claimed that he enjoyed excess freedom in handling cash and chadhava, owing to his proximity with members of the Trust. He is believed to have kept the keys of donation boxes with him and acting arbitrarily, thus allowing siphoning of funds meant for Lord Ram. He repeatedly denied any role in cash counting, but his close association with Champat Rai also brought the latter under the scanner, with many gunning for him.

Rama Shankar Mishra

Rama Shankar Mishra is also among those who were engaged in counting of donations. He has been charged with hatching a conspiracy to siphon off temple funds. He allegedly got his son and son-in-law involved in the cash counting work.

Lavkush Mishra

Lavkush Mishra is the son-in-law of Rama Shankar Mishra. According to reports, a stash of cash was recovered from his house, when the investigation into alleged misappropriation began, some days ago. He is believed to be the key link in embezzling the temple offerings and disposing the stolen cash, offerings to safe location.

Anukalp Mishra

Anukalp Mishra is the son of Rama Shankar Mishra, one of the accused. He along with his father and brother-in-law Lavkush Mishra conspired to loot the valuables. He is also said to be connected with Trustee Anil Mishra.

Avinash Shukla

Avinash Shukla is one of the attendants of Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, whose association with the accused has been established. According to NDTV report, Rs 5 lakh was recovered from his account. He is believed to be a key link in siphoning off funds.

Manish Yadav

Manish Yadav, nephew of Tinnu Yadav came under police lens after stolen money was recovered from his house as well. He was also involved in the donation counting process.

Subhash Shrivastava is a former bank employee. He was the supervisor of cash-counting staff at the temple and allegedly acted as a key pivot in embezzling the donations.

Karunesh Pandey, also behind bars, is said to have manipulated the receipts of donations to cover-up the wrongdoings.

Notably, the State Bank of India was authorised to count cash, offerings and valuables at the temple.

IANS