Ram Temple donation theft case: Ayodhya Police places key accused in police custody for 39 hours
The Ayodhya Police have placed the key accused, Tinnu Yadav and Manish Yadav, in police custody for 39 hours in connection with the theft of donations at the Ram Temple. Concurrently, the residence of Tinnu Yadav, situated in the Swarg Dwar locality of Ayodhya Dham, remains secured and unoccupied.
This development occurs amid an ongoing investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds and valuables from donation boxes (hundis) at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) previously submitted a preliminary report highlighting critical procedural deficiencies, including the absence of staff screening, inadequate preservation of CCTV footage (retained for only 45 days instead of the mandated 180 days), and violations in the handling of donation boxes.
The investigation uncovered approximately 70 suspected incidents of theft captured on CCTV footage, in which counting personnel allegedly concealed cash within their clothing, pockets, and other locations. Eight individuals have been detained, including Ramashankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav, a former driver for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s general secretary, Champat Rai, who held keys to several donation boxes, and his relative Manish Kumar Yadav, employed in the cash-counting division. Other accused persons include Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, and Subhash Srivastava.
Authorities have recovered approximately `79.85 lakh in cash and valuables from six of the detained individuals. Following the arrests and subsequent searches of their residences, Champat Rai and another trustee resigned amid growing calls for transparency in the temple's administration.
Tinnu Yadav, who advanced from modest origins to a position of significant access within the temple premises, and Manish Yadav are now undergoing further questioning. Their extended remand indicates that law enforcement aims to thoroughly investigate the scope of the criminal operation and identify any larger networks involved, which are reported to have operated for two to three years.
The locked residence in Swarg Dwar has attracted local attention, with neighbours and media representatives reporting no activity since the arrests. The case has ignited widespread discussion in Ayodhya about security vulnerabilities at one of India’s most revered religious sites and underscores the need for enhanced oversight of devotional offerings. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities reaffirming their commitment to ensuring accountability while preserving the sanctity of the temple.
