New Developments in Ram Mandir Donation Fraud Case Raise Questions
The Ram Mandir donation fraud case has taken a new turn with revelations about the recovery of ₹58 lakh before the SIT's investigation began. This has raised serious questions about the accountability of the temple trust members. The timeline of events shows that recovery efforts were initiated before any formal complaint was filed, leading to concerns about procedural integrity. As the investigation unfolds, the focus is on understanding the circumstances surrounding the recovery and the actions taken by trust officials. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
| Jun 29, 2026, 13:58 IST
New Revelations in Ram Mandir Donation Case
Recent developments have emerged in the alleged misappropriation of funds related to the Ram Mandir. Sources informed a Media House that a sum of ₹58 lakh, reportedly stolen from the temple's donations, was oddly traced and recovered before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government began its inquiry. This incident has raised concerns regarding the accountability and roles of individuals associated with the temple trust. According to insiders, some members of the trust conducted an internal investigation and retrieved the ₹58 lakh from Avinash Shukla, one of the eight individuals arrested last week in connection with the theft. Notably, this recovery occurred just nine days prior to the SIT's formation and the public revelation of the theft allegations.
Details of the Investigation
The SIT's investigation report, submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government last week, led to the filing of an FIR and the arrest of Avinash Shukla along with seven others. Sources revealed that on June 5, representatives from the trust, following the directives of then-General Secretary Champat Rai, visited the home of the accused, where approximately ₹58 lakh was allegedly recovered. Shortly after, Rai resigned on moral grounds alongside trustee Anil Mishra. This sequence of events is significant as the funds were returned before any formal complaint was lodged. Furthermore, between June 5 and June 8, the accused reportedly returned the remaining amount via bank transfer, indicating attempts to recover the allegedly misappropriated funds began before the legal process was initiated.
Timeline of Events
Chronology of Events:
June 4: The trust receives information about the alleged theft.
June 5: Trust officials and police visit the home of an accused; approximately ₹58 lakh is recovered.
June 5-8: The remaining amount is returned through bank transfers.
June 7: Allegations of donation theft become public.
Subsequently, formal legal actions commenced, expanding the scope of the investigation.
Currently, investigators are focusing on the timeline of events, examining why recovery efforts began before a formal complaint was filed and whether there were any procedural lapses during the initial investigation. Recent disclosures reinforce earlier reports that the trust was aware of the alleged theft before it became public. It was previously reported that on June 5, just days before the controversy became public, trust officials and police had already visited the home of an accused. Later, CCTV footage related to this operation surfaced, showing Avinash Shukla being escorted by police with a black bag believed to contain the recovered cash. The authenticity of the CCTV footage and the claims regarding the sequence of events have not been independently verified.