An investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the theft of offerings at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, has revealed how the accused embezzled lakhs of rupees. According to police documents, the theft systematically took place right under the temple’s nose—specifically while public offerings were being actively counted.
The temple trust had already managed to recover a portion of the stolen funds independently before the police formally intervened. Currently, all seven accused are in judicial custody.
The Loot Breakdown: Who Pocketed What?
Interrogations and subsequent police raids have led to massive cash recoveries from the individual accused. The breakdown of the cash recovered from each individual highlights who pocketed the most:
| Accused Name | Amount Recovered / Pocketed | Key Details & Additional Recoveries |
| Avinash Shukla | ₹20 Lakh+ | Highest amount pocketed. Police also recovered $1,121 USD, a silver-like metal object, two gold chains, and a ring from him. |
| Karunesh Pandey | ₹18 Lakh | Second-highest cash amount recovered. |
| Anukalp Mishra | ₹16 Lakh | Major recovery made directly following his interrogation. |
| Lavkush Mishra | ₹14 Lakh | Part of the core group involved in the counting process. |
| Ramakant Mishra | ₹7 Lakh | Mid-tier recovery. |
| Manish Kumar Yadav | ₹2 Lakh | Minor involvement/share. |
| Ram Shankar Yadav (alias Tinnu) | ₹1 Lakh | Lowest cash amount pocketed, but remains a primary focus of the SIT. |
Key Takeaways from the SIT Investigation
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The Modus Operandi: The accused confirmed that the embezzlement was executed systematically during the official counting hours of the public donation offerings.
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Prime Focus: The SIT is currently centering a large portion of its financial network investigation around Avinash Shukla and Ram Shankar Yadav.
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Inside Involvement Suspected: The probe has widened, with several temple officials currently placed under the SIT’s watch to determine if there was internal collusion or a security lapse.
What’s Next: The Special Investigation Team is expected to submit its final comprehensive report after July 10, which will likely trigger further legal action and potentially unearth more individuals involved in the financial network.
