A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into alleged embezzlement of devotee donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya has led to the arrest of eight individuals and the recovery of over ₹79 lakh in cash, according to official statements and court proceedings.
The case centres on the alleged misappropriation of cash and other offerings placed in the temple’s donation boxes. It gained momentum earlier this month after public allegations of financial irregularities surfaced, prompting the Uttar Pradesh government to constitute a three-member SIT on June 13, 2026, at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The SIT’s preliminary investigation, detailed in reports submitted around June 25, pointed to systematic lapses in the handling, counting, and supervision of donations. Investigators examined CCTV footage, digital records, and statements from temple staff. Some reports have highlighted around 70 suspected incidents of theft or irregularities over a period, with evidence linking several accused to the temple’s outsourced cash-counting operations.
Key evidence reportedly included video footage allegedly showing one accused taking cash on multiple occasions. The probe identified procedural weaknesses in the counting unit and raised questions about oversight mechanisms. While the trust has maintained that routine audits by trustees, workers, and bank staff had not previously flagged discrepancies, the SIT was tasked with verifying facts and checking for any wider conspiracy.
Following the SIT’s interim findings, an FIR was registered on or around June 25, 2026, at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station on a complaint by trust member Krishna Mohan. The FIR names eight accused and mentions “others,” leaving room for further names to be added.
The eight individuals arrested are:
- Lavkush Mishra
- Anukalp Mishra
- Avinash Shukla
- Manish Yadav
- Ramshankar Yadav (alias Tinnu)
- Subhash Chandra Srivastava (or Subhash Srivastava)
- Karunesh Pandey
- Ram Shankar Mishra
Most of the accused were associated with the cash-counting process or linked to the temple’s donation management. They were arrested shortly after the FIR and produced before a court in Ayodhya. On June 27, they were sent to judicial custody until June 29, 2026, and are scheduled to appear before a special court handling corruption-related matters.
Police have recovered approximately ₹79.85 lakh in cash from seven of the eight accused. The money was allegedly linked to the embezzled donations. Recoveries were made from the accused individuals, with reports of cash found in various locations, including residences. No cash was recovered from one accused. Further recoveries or asset probes may form part of the ongoing investigation.
The core allegations involve cash siphoned from donation boxes. Broader claims in the public domain have mentioned missing jewellery, gold, silver items, and other valuables offered by devotees, with some estimates of total missing amounts running significantly higher than the recovered cash. The current FIR and arrests focus primarily on employees handling counting and related operations. The invocation of relevant sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) - including theft, criminal breach of trust, cheating, and criminal conspiracy — along with references to the Prevention of Corruption Act in some coverage, suggests the probe could expand.
The case has sparked political debate. Opposition parties have demanded a broader, possibly court-monitored or CBI-led investigation, alleging that the FIR targets only junior staff while shielding senior trust functionaries. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has stated that action was taken promptly on the SIT report and emphasised that tampering with public faith would not be tolerated. Rumours circulated about the resignation of trust general secretary Champat Rai; these have not been officially confirmed by the trust or Vishva Hindu Parishad.
As of June 29, 2026, the eight accused remain in judicial custody. The SIT continues its investigation, with scope to examine higher-level involvement, procedural lapses, and any additional accused. Petitions seeking a more independent probe have been filed in courts, including references in the Supreme Court and Allahabad High Court. The temple, inaugurated in January 2024, attracts millions of devotees annually. Donations form a significant part of its operations for maintenance and related activities.
