Ram Mandir donation scam: All 8 accused sent to 3-day judicial custody in Ayodhya
Synopsis
Eight people — including temple management staff and a retired banker — are in judicial custody over alleged crore-scale embezzlement of Ram Mandir donations. An SIT had already flagged systemic irregularities. Police are preparing for remand to unravel how offerings were siphoned through banking channels, with more arrests possible.
Key Takeaways
All 8 accused in the Ram Mandir donation scam were sent to three-day judicial custody on 26 June .
They will be produced before the Ayodhya city court again on 29 June .
The FIR was filed at Ayodhya Kotwali on a complaint by Krishna Mohan of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust .
Accused include temple management associate Ramshankar Yadav (alias Tinnu) , six Trust employees, and retired banker Subhash Srivastava .
A three-member SIT had flagged multiple irregularities in its preliminary report, triggering the arrests.
Police plan to seek formal police remand and will use CCTV evidence and interrogation to establish the full chain of alleged theft.
All eight individuals arrested in connection with the alleged misappropriation of donations and offerings at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya were remanded to three-day judicial custody on Friday, 26 June, with their next court appearance scheduled for Monday, 29 June. The case, which involves alleged embezzlement of devotees' offerings running into crores, has shaken the administration of one of India's most prominent religious sites.
Why the Accused Were Sent to Judicial Custody
The accused were produced before the Magistrate's Court rather than the regular city court due to a public holiday on account of Muharram. The magistrate ordered them into judicial custody for three days. Police are now preparing to apply for formal police remand to conduct detailed interrogations into how the alleged embezzlement was planned and executed.
Who Has Been Accused
The First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Ayodhya Kotwali police station on Thursday, based on a complaint filed by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The eight individuals named in the case are: Ramshankar Yadav (alias Tinnu), associated with temple management; Trust employees Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, and Avinash Shukla; and retired bank employee Subhash Srivastava.
What the SIT Probe Flagged
The arrests followed a preliminary report by a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), which flagged several irregularities at multiple levels within the temple's donation management system. The role of Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav is reportedly under heightened scrutiny. Investigators are also examining the appointment process for cash-counting staff and how the retired banking professional allegedly facilitated siphoning of offerings through banking channels.
What Investigators Are Pursuing
Police have stated that the full scope of the alleged theft will be established through interrogation of the accused and CCTV-based evidence. Authorities have indicated that if additional names surface during the investigation, action will be taken against those individuals as well. The preliminary probe has already mapped the alleged role of each accused at various levels of the operation.
What Happens Next
The accused are scheduled to be produced before the city court again on Monday, 29 June. Police are expected to formally seek police remand at that hearing to continue interrogations. The case is being closely watched given the national significance of the Ram Mandir and the scale of donations it receives from devotees across the country.
Point of View
Not individual misconduct. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, already under political scrutiny, now faces questions about internal audit mechanisms — and whether the irregularities predate the individuals currently in custody.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ram Mandir donation scam about?
The case involves alleged misappropriation of donations and offerings at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, reportedly running into crores. A three-member SIT flagged multiple irregularities, leading to the arrest of eight individuals including temple staff and a retired banker.
Who are the eight accused in the Ram Mandir donation case?
The accused are Ramshankar Yadav (alias Tinnu), associated with temple management; Trust employees Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, and Avinash Shukla; and retired bank employee Subhash Srivastava. All eight have been booked for alleged theft at the temple.
When will the Ram Mandir donation scam accused appear in court next?
The eight accused will be produced before the Ayodhya city court on Monday, 29 June, after their three-day judicial custody period ends. Police are expected to seek formal police remand at that hearing.
What role did the SIT play in the Ram Mandir donation case?
A three-member Special Investigation Team conducted a preliminary probe and flagged several irregularities at multiple levels of the temple's donation management system. Its report preceded the FIR and the subsequent arrests.
Could more people be arrested in the Ram Mandir donation scam?
Police have stated that if additional names emerge during interrogation of the eight accused, action will be taken against those individuals as well. Investigators are also probing the appointment process for cash-counting staff and the role of banking channels in the alleged siphoning.
