Police expand investigation with fresh witness statements, financial scrutiny and raids linked to the alleged donation embezzlement
The investigation into the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case has intensified, with Ayodhya Police recording the statement of former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai as part of the ongoing probe, top Uttar Pradesh Police sources said.
According to sources, Champat Rai’s statement has already been recorded. Statements of former trustee Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao are yet to be taken and are expected to be recorded in the coming days as the investigation progresses.
Officials said investigators plan to question nearly 140 people connected to the case in a phased manner.
Statements being recorded as investigation progresses
Police sources said the questioning of Champat Rai and other senior functionaries is being conducted on lines similar to the interrogation carried out earlier by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Investigators believe their statements will help verify facts and strengthen the probe into the alleged financial irregularities linked to temple donations.
Apart from senior trust members, police are expected to record statements of individuals involved in the donation management process, including personnel responsible for counting donations, transporting cash to banks, bank officials handling deposits and security staff deployed during the counting process.
Raids conducted at 10 locations
The development comes a day after Ayodhya Police carried out extensive raids at 10 locations linked to the case.
According to sources, the search operations lasted between six and eight hours. Following the raids, family members of several accused were detained for questioning as investigators continued to gather evidence and examine their possible role in the alleged misappropriation of donations.
Cash, jewellery and property documents seized
Sources said the raids resulted in the recovery of cash, jewellery, property registration documents, agreement papers, bank passbooks and jewellery purchase bills.
Investigators have also identified several properties allegedly acquired by the accused in recent years. Preliminary findings suggest that some of these assets were purchased in the names of family members.
Police are now tracing the financial trail to determine whether the properties were acquired using funds linked to the alleged donation theft.
Officials said the seized financial records and documents are being analysed to establish the movement of funds and identify all those involved in the alleged irregularities.
Background of the case
The alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has emerged as a major controversy after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) reported irregularities in the shrine’s donation management system.
Eight individuals associated with the counting of cash and valuables have been arrested in connection with the case.
According to sources familiar with the preliminary SIT findings, several Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were allegedly violated during the donation counting process. These include the absence of security personnel during counting, failure to frisk staff entering and leaving the counting room, and the non-preservation of CCTV footage for the mandated 180-day period.
The investigation is continuing, with authorities expected to question more witnesses and examine additional financial records in the coming days.
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