Ram Temple donation theft: SIT finds 70 cash pilferage instances, 6 named
Synopsis
The SIT probing donation irregularities at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple found 70 CCTV-captured instances of cash being smuggled out in clothing and shoes — with six staffers named, ₹78.94 lakh recovered, and the Trust's own oversight framework found to be riddled with violations. The resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra signal the political and institutional weight of the findings.
Key Takeaways
The SIT submitted its preliminary report on donation counting irregularities at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple , Ayodhya .
CCTV footage from 27 April to 5 June 2026 captured approximately 70 instances of staff concealing cash in clothing and footwear.
Six individuals — Avinash Shukla , Anukalp Mishra , Lavkush Mishra , Manish Kumar Yadav , Karunesh Pandey , and Ramashankar Mishra — have been named with prima facie evidence.
Recoveries of approximately ₹78.94 lakh and other items were made from the accused before the probe began.
The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust accepted resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra on moral grounds and is implementing reforms.
Social media claims about missing silver and other valuables were not prima facie substantiated , though stronger record-keeping was recommended.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government has submitted its preliminary report on alleged irregularities in donation counting at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, finding systematic cash theft captured across 70 CCTV-recorded instances between 27 April and 5 June 2026. The probe, initiated at the request of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, has named six individuals with prima facie evidence of involvement and registered criminal cases against them.
What the CCTV Footage Revealed
According to the SIT's findings, surveillance footage documented counting staff concealing currency bundles and loose notes in their clothing, footwear, and other personal belongings on approximately 70 separate occasions. The six individuals identified are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, and Ramashankar Mishra. Cases have been formally registered against all six.
Investigators also noted that bank account analysis revealed deposits far exceeding the modest salaries of those accused — a financial discrepancy that strengthened the prima facie case against them. Recoveries of approximately ₹78.94 lakh and other items were made from the accused before the formal probe commenced.
Supervisory and Procedural Failures
The SIT report highlights sweeping lapses in oversight despite a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) signed with the State Bank of India (SBI). Critical safeguards that were not followed include: the absence of proper frisking at entry and exit points, no biometric attendance system, failure to conduct hundi-wise counting, mixing of donations from separate boxes, non-enforcement of dress codes, and a failure to ban personal items in the counting area. Unauthorised access to donation box keys was also flagged as a serious security breach.
Trust officials have been held accountable for these oversight failures. Dr Anil Mishra, a former trustee, and Subhash Srivastava, the counting in-charge, were specifically cited for supervisory lapses.
Trust Accepts Resignations, Announces Reforms
In the wake of the findings, the Trust on Monday accepted the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra on moral grounds. The Trust has stated that reforms are being implemented to strengthen transparency in donation management. Temple activities and donation collection continue uninterrupted, with the Trust emphasising that public faith remains strong.
Social Media Claims Not Substantiated
The SIT report addressed a separate set of allegations that had circulated on social media regarding the alleged disappearance of valuables such as silver, bricks, and other precious offerings. The report stated these claims were not prima facie substantiated. However, investigators recommended strengthening the management and record-keeping systems for valuables to prevent future ambiguity.
Investigation Continues
The SIT will continue its probe and is expected to suggest systemic improvements for greater transparency in the donation counting process. This preliminary report marks the first formal accounting of the alleged irregularities since the Trust approached authorities, and further findings are anticipated as the investigation deepens.
Point of View
Not merely individual misconduct. An MoU and SOP with SBI existed — the safeguards were on paper. The fact that 70 instances of theft were captured on CCTV yet went undetected in real time points to a monitoring vacuum that the Trust, as the responsible body, cannot deflect entirely onto counting staff. The resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra are significant but do not answer the harder question: how long did this continue before the Trust sought an external probe, and why did internal oversight not catch it first? For an institution that commands the faith of hundreds of millions, the gap between its stated protocols and actual practice is the real accountability story here.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the SIT find in the Ram Temple donation counting probe?
The SIT found approximately 70 CCTV-recorded instances of counting staff concealing cash in their clothing, shoes, and personal items between 27 April and 5 June 2026. Six individuals have been identified with prima facie evidence of involvement, and criminal cases have been registered against them.
How much money was recovered from the accused?
Recoveries of approximately ₹78.94 lakh and other items were made from the accused before the formal investigation began. Bank analysis also showed deposits in their accounts far exceeding their salaries, strengthening the case against them.
What procedural failures did the SIT highlight?
The SIT noted that despite a detailed MoU and SOP signed with SBI, critical safeguards were not followed — including no proper frisking, no biometric attendance, no hundi-wise counting, mixing of donations from different boxes, and unauthorised access to donation box keys.
Who has resigned in connection with the Ram Temple donation irregularities?
The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust accepted the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra on moral grounds following the SIT's preliminary findings. Dr Anil Mishra and counting in-charge Subhash Srivastava were also cited for supervisory lapses.
Were social media claims about missing valuables at the Ram Temple verified?
No. The SIT report stated that allegations circulating on social media about the disappearance of valuables such as silver and bricks were not prima facie substantiated. However, the report recommended strengthening the management and record-keeping systems for valuables.
