Who stole from Ram Temple’s donation boxes? The SIT report, explained

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Devotees wait to enter the Ram temple for prayers, in Ayodhya. File | Photo Credit: Reuters

Amid the uproar over alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in the second week of June, the Uttar Pradesh government appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) . The team — comprising Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector-General (Lucknow Range) S. Kiran and Special Secretary in the Finance Department Neelratan Kumar — submitted its preliminary report to the State government on June 23, uncovering prima facie evidence of theft and pilferage during counting of donations at the temple. Based on the SIT’s findings, the Trust filed a petition for the registration of a first information report (FIR).

A large segment of the SIT report, obtained by The Hindu , indicates that investigators were only able to analyse CCTV footage from April 27 to June 5. The footage consistently shows certain counting staff concealing bundles of currency notes and loose cash within their clothing, pockets, shoes and other hidden areas, while other employees appeared to assist or shield such actions. The SIT identified around 70 suspected incidents of theft or pilferage during the period examined.

“We were able to monitor 70 suspected theft or pilferage incidents during the examined timeframe in the CCTV records,” the report states.

SIT submits final report to Ram Janmabhoomi Trust in Ayodhya temple donation theft case

The report adds that based on employee testimonies and discrepancies between counted cash and bank deposits, similar incidents may have occurred before April 27, though the absence of earlier CCTV footage limited the assessment of their extent. The SIT also gathered testimonies from Trust officials, bank staff, security personnel, and counting employees, alongside bank records, seizure documents and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The report found that key security measures outlined in the Trust’s SOPs — including frisking, biometric attendance, restrictions on personal items and CCTV monitoring — had not been adequately implemented, creating an environment conducive to theft and pilferage. The SIT identified procedural weaknesses in the handling of valuable donations, including irregularities in documentation, weighing and sealing processes.

Police take three jailed accused in Ram Temple donations embezzlement case Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra and Karunesh Pandey from 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg for further proceedings, in Ayodhya | Photo Credit: ANI

Drawing on CCTV footage, recovery records, financial documents and witness statements, the SIT named Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Ramashankar Mishra as having prima facie involvement in the case. Mr. Shukla and Mr. Yadav were frequently observed removing or hiding cash, while the others were noted for assisting or participating in similar activities. Mr.