A preliminary report by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has identified Avinash Shukla as the prime accused in the alleged theft of devotees' donations at the Ram Temple, linking him to a suspected racket that allegedly operated for around 40 days and involved nearly 70 instances of pilferage, sources said.
The interim findings of the three-member SIT were discussed during a meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
According to the report, Shukla, who was employed to count cash offerings at the temple, has been named the main accused after investigators found what they described as the strongest evidence against him. The nine-page report, submitted to Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad on June 23, describes the 30-year-old as the central figure in the alleged operation.
The SIT said CCTV footage allegedly showed Shukla repeatedly concealing and removing bundles of cash and loose currency from the temple's donation-counting room. The footage also helped investigators identify five other accused and reconstruct the alleged modus operandi.
The report said evidence against Shukla includes CCTV footage, cash recoveries, bank transaction records and witness statements. It also alleged that Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Karunesh Pandey, Manish Kumar Yadav and Rama Shankar Mishra assisted in the theft of donation money.
Also read: BKTC official booked for alleged diversion of temple funds
During searches, police recovered ₹20.39 lakh in cash, USD 1,121, gold and silver ornaments, other valuables and an SUV from Shukla's possession. Investigators also found bank transactions allegedly disproportionate to his known income, despite his reported monthly salary being just over ₹15,000 after deductions.
So far, eight people have been arrested in the case, including Shukla and the five accused named in the SIT report, along with Subhash Srivastava and Rama Shankar alias Tinnu. Police said recoveries exceeding ₹79 lakh have been made from the accused, except Srivastava.
The Uttar Pradesh government constituted the three-member SIT to investigate the case, and the probe has since expanded beyond the original FIR. Investigators are also examining alleged security and procedural lapses in the temple's donation management system, including inadequate frisking, poor CCTV monitoring and weak supervision.
Trust initiates CEO appointment
Meanwhile, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has begun the process of appointing a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to strengthen administrative oversight following the alleged donation theft.
Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri said a professionally experienced CEO could have helped prevent the alleged embezzlement through stronger institutional oversight. A three-member panel has been formed to recommend candidates for the post as part of a broader effort to improve transparency, governance and financial management at the Ram Temple.
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