Ram Temple donation theft: Avinash Shukla recreates money split at Ayodhya site
Synopsis
The Ram Temple donation theft case took a dramatic turn when alleged mastermind Avinash Shukla led investigators to the exact spot near Ayodhya's 14-Kosi Parikrama route where stolen donations were reportedly divided — and a hidden valuable was recovered at the scene, potentially reshaping the prosecution's case.
Key Takeaways
Alleged mastermind Avinash Shukla identified the site near the 14-Kosi Parikrama route in Ayodhya where stolen temple donations were reportedly divided on 3 July .
A total of eight accused , including Trust employees, allegedly gathered at the site after the theft to distribute the cash.
Investigators recovered a hidden valuable item from near the site; its nature has not been disclosed.
The FIR was registered at Ayodhya Kotwali police station on a complaint by Krishna Mohan of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust .
The case was triggered after a three-member SIT flagged irregularities in its preliminary report.
All eight accused have been arrested; further court submissions are expected after evidence analysis.
Alleged mastermind Avinash Shukla was taken to a site near the 14-Kosi Parikrama route in Ayodhya during police remand, where he reportedly identified the exact location used to divide stolen donations from the Ram Temple. The disclosure, made on 3 July, has given investigators fresh leads in one of the most high-profile religious-site theft cases in recent memory.
What Happened at the Site
According to sources privy to the probe, eight accused — including Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Kamlesh Pandey, and Tinu Yadav — allegedly gathered at this location after the theft to distribute the stolen cash among themselves. During questioning at the spot, Shukla reportedly reconstructed the sequence of events and explained how the money was shared within the group.
The site is said to have served a dual purpose: distributing the stolen funds and concealing valuables linked to the crime.
Key Recovery Made
Acting on Shukla's disclosures, investigators reportedly recovered a valuable item hidden near the same location. Authorities have not yet revealed the nature of the recovered object, but sources indicate it is considered an important piece of evidence that could strengthen the prosecution's case. Police are now verifying whether additional evidence or valuables remain concealed at or near the site.
The Accused and the FIR
A total of eight individuals have been booked for the alleged theft at the temple, and all have since been arrested. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Ayodhya Kotwali police station on a complaint filed by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Those named in the case include Ramshankar Yadav, Trust employees Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, and Avinash Shukla, as well as retired bank employee Subhash Srivastava.
Background: SIT Report and Irregularities
The case was set in motion after a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) flagged several irregularities at multiple levels in its preliminary report. The filing of the FIR followed shortly after those findings were submitted. The involvement of Trust employees has drawn particular scrutiny, given the institution's central role in managing donations at one of India's most visited religious sites.
What Investigators Are Doing Next
The probe team is working to trace the movement of stolen property and establish the precise role played by each accused. Officials are expected to question the remaining accused and analyse the recovered evidence before filing further submissions in court. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Point of View
Not opportunistic outsiders. The SIT flagging 'irregularities at multiple levels' before the FIR was even filed suggests systemic lapses in donation oversight, not a one-off breach. As one of India's highest-footfall pilgrimage sites, the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust's donation management will now face a level of public and judicial scrutiny it has never seen before. The real question the investigation must answer is not just who took the money, but how long such access went unchecked.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ram Temple donation theft case?
The Ram Temple donation theft case involves the alleged stealing of donations from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. Eight individuals, including Trust employees, have been arrested after an SIT flagged irregularities in a preliminary report, leading to an FIR at Ayodhya Kotwali police station.
Who is Avinash Shukla and what did he reveal?
Avinash Shukla is the alleged mastermind in the Ram Temple donation theft case. During police remand on 3 July, he led investigators to a site near the 14-Kosi Parikrama route in Ayodhya, where he reportedly reconstructed how the stolen money was divided among the accused.
What was recovered during the site visit?
Investigators reportedly recovered a valuable item hidden near the money-division site based on Shukla's disclosures. Authorities have not yet revealed what the object is, but sources say it could be a significant piece of evidence for the prosecution.
Who filed the complaint and who are the accused?
The complaint was filed by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The eight accused include Trust employees Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, and Avinash Shukla, along with Ramshankar Yadav and retired bank employee Subhash Srivastava.
What happens next in the investigation?
Police are verifying statements made during remand and examining whether more evidence or valuables remain hidden. Investigators plan to question the remaining accused and analyse recovered evidence before filing further submissions in court.
