Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Row: Champat Rai's former driver among 8 arrested

The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple has intensified, with Uttar Pradesh Police arresting eight people, including Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, a former personal driver and close aide of VHP Vice-President Champat Rai.

According to investigators, the accused were associated with the temple's donation management system and allegedly played different roles in handling, transporting and counting cash collected from donation boxes. Police said Tinnu had access to the strong room where donations were counted and was responsible for supervising the movement of cash.

The arrests were made following an FIR registered on the recommendations of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was formed to probe allegations of theft and financial irregularities involving temple donations. Authorities have recovered nearly Rs 80 lakh during the investigation and are examining whether more people were involved in the alleged embezzlement.

The accused have been booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to theft by an employee, criminal breach of trust, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy. They have been produced before a court, while the investigation into the alleged misuse of temple funds is continuing.