SIT names Avinash Shukla as prime accused in Ayodhya Ram Temple donation case

Mangalore Today News Network

Ayodhya, Jul 8, 2026: 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 in Ayodhya. Investigators suspect he masterminded a 40-day racket involving nearly 70 instances of pilferage from the temple’s donation-counting system, sources said on Wednesday.

The findings of the three-member SIT were discussed during a meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday.

According to the report, Shukla, who was employed to count devotees’ cash offerings, has been named Accused No. 1 after investigators found substantial evidence against him. The nine-page interim 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 the racket revolved around Shukla and helped investigators identify five other accused and reconstruct the alleged modus operandi inside the temple’s counting room.

Investigators have, prima facie, identified nearly 70 incidents of alleged theft over a period of around 40 days. CCTV footage reportedly showed Shukla repeatedly removing and concealing bundles of cash and loose currency notes during donation-counting operations.

The footage also allegedly captured Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra and Karunesh Pandey assisting Shukla in hiding and removing cash, while Manish Kumar Yadav was allegedly coordinating with him inside the counting room. Separate footage reportedly showed Rama Shankar Mishra handling and concealing bundles of cash.

The SIT said evidence against Shukla is supported by CCTV footage, recovery records, bank account analysis and witness statements, establishing the prima facie involvement of all six accused.

During searches conducted by Ayodhya Police, investigators recovered ₹20.39 lakh in cash, USD 1,121, gold and silver ornaments, other valuables and an SUV from Shukla’s possession—the largest recovery from any accused in the case.

Investigators also found bank deposits and financial transactions allegedly disproportionate to Shukla’s known income. The report noted that personnel employed by the temple trust to count donations receive a monthly salary of slightly over ₹15,000 after deductions, while Shukla’s banking activity was significantly higher than his legitimate earnings.

Police also recovered a donation box bearing the inscription "Ramrajya Kosh" with an active QR code from Shukla’s residence. Authorities have searched his native home in Pratapgarh district and are examining his properties and financial transactions over the past few years.

The case surfaced following allegations of theft of devotees’ offerings from the Ram Temple. So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case: Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Rama Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Rama Shankar alias Tinnu.

On Monday, a local court granted one-day police custody of Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra and Karunesh Pandey after investigators claimed fresh evidence had emerged during the interrogation.

According to police, recoveries exceeding ₹79 lakh have been made from the accused, except Subhash Srivastava, who investigators still consider part of the alleged conspiracy.

The Uttar Pradesh government constituted the three-member SIT to probe the case, and the investigation has since expanded beyond the original FIR. The team has also ordered a re-audit of the trust’s accounts for the past five years and is examining expenditure on major events over the last two years.

The SIT has also flagged alleged security and procedural lapses in the temple’s donation management system, including inadequate frisking of personnel, poor CCTV monitoring and weak supervisory mechanisms, which investigators believe enabled the repeated thefts to go undetected. The role of officials responsible for supervising the donation-counting process is also under scrutiny.