The alleged multi-crore embezzlement of devotees' donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya escalated sharply on Friday, 26 June, as Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trust member Anil Mishra resigned from their posts amid mounting pressure over the mishandling of temple offerings. All eight accused arrested in connection with the case were simultaneously remanded to three-day judicial custody till 29 June, as investigators turned their lens on possible banking collusion in what they suspect was an organised, multi-year racket.

Why the Trust Leaders Stepped Down

According to sources, Rai and Mishra resigned on moral grounds days after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted preliminary findings that flagged serious lapses in the management of cash offerings made by devotees. Their departures are being viewed as the first concrete accountability measure since the controversy triggered widespread public outrage and demands for action against those overseeing the temple's day-to-day administration.

Notably, no evidence has yet been made public directly linking either resigned official to the alleged financial irregularities. The SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on 14 June at the Trust's own request, and its preliminary report prompted the registration of an FIR and the subsequent arrests.

The Eight Accused and Their Alleged Roles

The FIR names eight individuals — temple attendants, cash-counting staff, and a retired bank employee — accused of working in collusion to divert cash and valuables donated by devotees. The arrested persons are Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, and retired bank employee Subhash Srivastava.

Tinnu, a former driver of Champat Rai, has emerged as the central figure. He allegedly exploited considerable access within the temple administration to manipulate the handling of donations, according to sources. His proximity to senior Trust members has intensified questions over administrative oversight.

Subhash Srivastava, who reportedly supervised cash-counting operations, is alleged to have coordinated duty allocations and facilitated the diversion of funds. During questioning, some accused allegedly disclosed names of additional banking officials who may have acted as conduits in the misappropriation.

Banking Angle Under Scrutiny

The State Bank of India (SBI) had been authorised to handle the counting and processing of cash offerings at the temple. Investigators are now examining whether standard banking procedures were manipulated to facilitate the alleged siphoning. Sources familiar with the probe indicated that more officials — both former and serving — could face legal action if evidence of collusion emerges.

Police suspect the operation may have been active for nearly two to three years. According to investigators, cash bundles were allegedly concealed inside washrooms within the temple complex before being removed at night, later distributed at separate locations, and channelled into accounts linked to members of the alleged syndicate. CCTV footage and financial records are being analysed to trace the movement of funds and identify all those involved.

What Happens Next

Police are expected to seek custodial remand of the eight accused for detailed interrogation to unravel the alleged conspiracy, trace the flow of funds, and identify additional beneficiaries. The SIT investigation remains active, and the probe's scope is widening to include banking personnel beyond the temple premises. The case has put the administration of one of India's most prominent religious sites under unprecedented public and legal scrutiny.