An investigation into the theft of donations meant for the Ram temple in Ayodhya has uncovered how the cash vanished amid samosa parties held in the counting room. The probe reveals a series of irregularities that allowed the misappropriation of funds collected from devotees.
How the theft occurred
According to officials, the counting of donations took place in a designated room where staff members were allowed to bring food, including samosas, during breaks. The informal atmosphere and lack of strict oversight enabled some individuals to pocket portions of the cash. The investigation found that the missing amount totals several lakh rupees.
Details of the probe
The probe was initiated after discrepancies were noticed between the recorded donations and the actual cash deposited. A senior official stated, "We found that during the counting process, staff would often gather for samosa parties, and in the chaos, cash would disappear." The inquiry has identified at least three employees who are suspected of involvement.
Impact and response
The temple trust has expressed shock over the incident and has promised to implement stricter measures, including CCTV surveillance and mandatory logbooks for cash handling. A case has been registered, and the accused employees have been suspended pending further investigation.
The theft has raised concerns about the management of public donations, with devotees demanding transparency and accountability. The trust has assured that all future counting will be conducted under video monitoring to prevent such incidents.
