A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in donations at the Ram Temple has found evidence of repeated thefts inside the temple’s donation counting room, pointing to what it described as “serious supervisory failures” and repeated violations of established security procedures.
According to a Hindustan Times report, the preliminary report was presented during a meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday. It recommends criminal cases against six cash-counting staff members, all of whom have already been arrested, while also seeking a wider probe into the role of officials responsible for overseeing the donation counting process.
CCTV footage captures repeated alleged thefts
According to the SIT, CCTV footage recorded between April 27 and June 5, 2026 allegedly shows nearly 70 instances of staff concealing currency bundles and loose cash inside their clothes, pockets and shoes.
The report stated that the pattern suggested the alleged thefts were “continuous and repeated” rather than isolated incidents.
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Investigators believe the total amount involved could be significantly higher because surveillance footage from before April 27 was unavailable after being automatically overwritten due to limited storage. The SIT also noted that statements from the accused and scrutiny of their financial transactions indicate similar activities may have taken place before the available footage period.
The six accused named in the report are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Ramashankar Mishra.
Recovered cash and financial irregularities
The SIT said the temple trust had recovered around ₹2.79 crore, along with foreign currency, jewellery and other valuables, from people associated with the donation counting process before the investigation team was formed.
Additionally, ₹2.25 lakh was allegedly recovered from a washroom located next to the counting room on June 4.
The report also highlighted major differences between the salaries of the accused and the money found in their bank accounts. While the staff reportedly earned around ₹20,000 a month before deductions, investigators allegedly found large cash deposits, fixed deposits and other financial transactions that are now under scrutiny.
Security protocol violations under scanner
The SIT identified several lapses in the Standard Operating Procedure jointly prepared by the trust and the State Bank of India. According to the report, mandatory frisking was not carried out consistently, pocketless uniforms were not enforced, personal belongings were allowed inside the counting room and biometric attendance was ineffective.
It also found that donations from different hundis were mixed before counting, denomination-wise records were not maintained and CCTV monitoring was not actively used to prevent theft.
The report further questioned the role of senior officials, saying Anil Mishra failed to ensure that the prescribed security measures were implemented despite being aware of the lapses. It also held counting room in-charge Subhash Srivastava responsible for alleged negligence and flagged the role of Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu over the handling of donation box keys and staff appointments.
Audit warnings ignored, probe continues
The SIT noted that internal audit reports between 2022-23 and 2025-26 had repeatedly highlighted weak documentation, insufficient CCTV coverage and the need to preserve surveillance footage for 180 days. However, those recommendations were allegedly not acted upon.
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The report clarified that allegations circulating on social media regarding missing silver bricks and other donated valuables could not be verified. Following a review of records and physical verification, investigators found those items had been properly documented and accounted for.
Calling its findings preliminary, the SIT has recommended criminal cases under provisions related to theft, criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation, possession of stolen property and conspiracy. The state government has extended the deadline for submission of the final report until July 15.
FAQs:
What did the SIT find in the Ram Temple donation theft investigation?
The SIT said CCTV footage allegedly showed repeated cash concealment by donation counting staff and flagged serious security and supervisory lapses.
How many people have been arrested in the Ram Temple donation cash theft case?
Six cash-counting personnel have been arrested after the SIT’s preliminary probe allegedly linked them to the donation theft case.
