Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft Case: CCTV Footage, Black Bag, and Jail Interrogation Raise New Questions
Lucknow: The investigation into the alleged theft of donations collected at the Ayodhya Ram Temple has gathered pace, with police intensifying their efforts to uncover how funds meant for the temple were allegedly misappropriated.
On Tuesday, Ayodhya police questioned one of the key accused, Avinash Shukla, inside the district jail after securing the necessary approval from the court. The interrogation was conducted by City Circle Officer Ashutosh Tiwari as part of the ongoing probe into the suspected embezzlement of temple donations.
Accused Allegedly Played Important Role in Cash Handling
According to investigators, Shukla was closely involved in the process of counting and reconciling donation money collected at the Ram Temple. Officials believe his role may have been crucial in managing records and verifying cash amounts after each counting session.
Police suspect that irregularities in the reconciliation process may have created opportunities for the alleged diversion of funds. Investigators are now examining whether cash records were manipulated to conceal discrepancies in the donation amounts.
CCTV Footage Under Scanner
One of the major focuses of the investigation is CCTV footage from the donation counting area. Sources associated with the probe claim that Shukla was frequently seen standing directly in front of surveillance cameras while cash counting was taking place.
Investigators are trying to determine whether his positioning was intentional and whether it may have obstructed the cameras from capturing critical activities. The footage is being closely analyzed to understand if any attempts were made to avoid surveillance during the counting process.
Black Bag Seen in Viral CCTV Footage
The investigation took a significant turn after police recovered CCTV footage dated June 5. The video reportedly shows officials from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust along with individuals dressed in police uniforms conducting a search operation at Shukla’s residence following an internal inquiry.
The footage allegedly captures Shukla leaving the premises while carrying a black bag. Investigators are examining claims that the bag may have contained a portion of the money suspected to have been siphoned from temple donations. Authorities, however, continue to verify the contents and significance of the bag as part of the evidence-gathering process.
Police Examining Cash Movement and Records
During the interrogation, officers questioned Shukla about multiple aspects of the donation management system, including:
- The process used for counting temple donations
- Cash reconciliation procedures
- Movement and storage of donation funds
- Responsibilities assigned to different staff members
- The involvement of other accused individuals
Investigators are attempting to reconstruct the sequence of events that may have enabled the alleged financial irregularities.
Other Accused to Be Questioned
Shukla is among eight individuals currently lodged in judicial custody in connection with the case. The remaining accused include:
- Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu
- Anukalp Mishra
- Karunesh Pandey
- Manish Yadav
- Lavkush Mishra
- Ramashankar Mishra
- Subhash Srivastava
Police officials have stated that all accused will be questioned in phases inside the jail after obtaining permission from the court.
Investigation Continues
The Ayodhya police are conducting a detailed investigation by reviewing CCTV recordings, financial documents, donation registers, cash reconciliation records, and witness statements. Authorities aim to determine the scale of the alleged fraud and identify the exact role played by each accused person.
As the probe progresses, investigators are expected to rely heavily on electronic evidence and financial records to establish how the alleged misappropriation of Ram Temple donations took place and whether additional individuals were involved.
