LUCKNOW: In its preliminary report, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) found prima facie evidence of 70 alleged thefts from Ram Temple donations over 40 days. The SIT has identified Avinash Shukla (30) as the central figure in the alleged embezzlement racket.In its report submitted to additional chief secretary (home) Sanjay Prasad on June 23, the SIT named Shukla as accused number one and described him as the key link in what investigators believe was a wider conspiracy to siphon devotees’ offerings.Investigators said the evidence trail built around Shukla ultimately enabled them to identify five other accused and reconstruct the alleged operation inside the temple’s donation-counting system.Shukla is the first among six individuals whose prima facie involvement has been established through CCTV footage, recovery records, bank account analysis and witness statements.According to the SIT, the case against the remaining accused was pieced together after investigators examined evidence linked to him, making him the focal point of the probe.The report states that repeated examination of CCTV footage captured Shukla allegedly removing and concealing bundles of donation cash and loose currency notes during counting operations on multiple occasions.Investigators said these recordings became the backbone of the inquiry, helping them trace the movement of money and identify the suspected roles of other participants.According to the SIT, CCTV footage also showed Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra and Karunesh Pandey allegedly assisting Shukla in concealing and removing donation money, while Manish Kumar Yadav was allegedly working in coordination with him inside the counting room.Separate footage provided by Trust representatives allegedly showed Ramashankar Mishra handling and concealing cash bundles. Based on the material examined, the SIT concluded that the prima facie involvement of all six accused stood established.The investigation into Shukla extended beyond video evidence. During searches conducted by the Ayodhya police, investigators recovered Rs 20.39 lakh in cash, US $1,121, gold and silver ornaments, other valuables and an SUV from his possession: the largest recovery made from any accused arrested in the case.
‘Silver not stolen’
The SIT treated these recoveries as a crucial link in establishing the alleged diversion of donation money.Financial scrutiny further strengthened suspicions against Shukla. Analysis of bank accounts linked to him revealed cash deposits and transactions that investigators found disproportionate to his known sources of income.While personnel engaged in donation counting earned around Rs 20,000 a month, with take-home salaries of roughly Rs 15,000 after deductions, investigators said banking activity linked to Shukla far exceeded those earnings.The report said that when viewed alongside CCTV footage and recoveries, the financial trail pointed to alleged attempts to conceal or channel misappropriated funds.A native of Babupur village in Pratapgarh’s Maheshganj area, Shukla had been living with his elder brother in Ayodhya while working in the temple’s donation-counting system.Investigators said that by following the evidence trail originating from Shukla, including CCTV footage, recoveries, banking records and witness statements, they were able to uncover the alleged network operating within the counting process and establish the suspected involvement of the remaining accused.The SIT has clarified that its findings are preliminary and that further investigation into administrative accountability, institutional lapses and the full extent of the alleged embezzlement is continuing.
