An organised network of theft has been exposed in the collection of donations for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, with the involvement of counting staffers, middlemen, and bank accounts. The probe has revealed that over ₹2 crore was stolen from the donation boxes installed across Uttar Pradesh.
How the Theft Operated
According to sources, the modus operandi involved tampering with the donation boxes and siphoning off cash before it reached the temple trust. Counting staffers were allegedly bribed to underreport the amounts collected, while middlemen facilitated the transfer of stolen funds into private bank accounts.
The investigation began after discrepancies were noticed between the number of donors and the total collection reported. A special audit team was formed to scrutinise the records, leading to the discovery of the network.
Key Arrests and Recoveries
Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested four individuals, including two counting staffers and a bank official. Recoveries include ₹50 lakh in cash and multiple bank accounts with suspicious transactions. The police have also seized documents linking the accused to the theft.
“The accused have confessed to their involvement in the theft. We are investigating if more people are part of this network,” said a senior police officer.
Impact on Temple Trust
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the temple construction, expressed shock over the incident. A trust official stated, “We have full faith in the investigating agencies. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty.”
The trust has also implemented new security measures, including CCTV cameras and biometric access to donation rooms, to prevent future thefts.
Political Reactions
The opposition has criticised the state government for the lapse, demanding a thorough inquiry. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said, “This is a betrayal of the faith of millions of devotees. The government must ensure that every rupee is accounted for.”
In response, the state government has promised a high-level investigation and has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
