Ram Temple donation probe: CCTV shows staff hiding cash, SIT flags major supervisory failures

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in donations at the Ram Temple has found prima facie evidence of repeated thefts inside the temple’s donation counting room, blaming serious security lapses and supervisory failures for enabling the alleged embezzlement.

According to the preliminary SIT report presented to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, CCTV footage recorded between April 27 and June 5 allegedly captured around 70 instances of cash-counting staff concealing bundles of currency and loose cash inside their clothes, pockets and shoes. Investigators said the thefts appeared to be systematic and recurring rather than isolated incidents.

Six arrested, wider probe recommended

The SIT has recommended criminal cases against six cash-counting personnel — Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Ramashankar Mishra — all of whom have been arrested. It also called for an investigation into the role of supervisory officials responsible for implementing security protocols.

The report noted that CCTV footage before April 27 was unavailable because recordings had been automatically overwritten, suggesting the scale of the alleged embezzlement may be much larger. Statements from the accused and scrutiny of their bank transactions indicate similar thefts may have occurred even earlier.

Before the SIT probe began, the temple trust had reportedly recovered around ₹2.79 crore, along with foreign currency, jewellery and other valuables, from individuals linked to the counting process. An additional ₹2.25 lakh was allegedly recovered from a washroom adjoining the counting room.

SOP violations and financial irregularities

Investigators found significant discrepancies between the accused’s declared income and deposits in their bank accounts, pointing to unusually large cash deposits and fixed deposits despite salaries of about ₹20,000 per month.

The SIT alleged widespread violations of the temple’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), including failure to conduct mandatory frisking, allowing personal belongings inside the counting room, poor biometric attendance, mixing donations before counting, inadequate record-keeping and ineffective CCTV monitoring.

The report also questioned the role of senior officials, including former trust representative Anil Mishra and counting room in-charge Subhash Srivastava, alleging they failed to enforce mandatory safeguards. It further raised concerns over a 2025 revision of the SOP that diluted mandatory frisking requirements.

While the SIT found no evidence supporting social media claims about missing silver bricks or other donated valuables, it said the investigation into administrative accountability, institutional failures and long-term reforms is continuing. The Uttar Pradesh government has extended the deadline for the SIT’s final report until July 15.