CCTV evidence leads to arrest of all 8 accused in Ram Mandir donation theft case
The Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested all eight accused named in the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case, marking a major escalation in the ongoing investigation. Sources told India TV that all the accused have been taken into police custody and are being interrogated as investigators examine the alleged theft of donations offered by devotees at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Among those arrested is Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav, who is considered a close aide of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai. The other accused are Anukalp Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Karunesh Pandey, Lav Kush Mishra, Rama Shankar Mishra and Subhash Srivastava.
According to sources, all eight were involved in the counting process of temple donations.
Arrests follow FIR based on CCTV evidence
The arrests come a day after an FIR was registered against the accused under Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The case was registered after investigators examined CCTV footage and other evidence gathered during the preliminary inquiry.
Sources indicated that the investigation is far from over, with more arrests likely as officials continue to scrutinise the alleged network behind the theft.
No FIR against senior trust members
Sources clarified that no FIR has been registered against Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust General Secretary Champat Rai or trust member Anil Mishra. However, the investigation remains ongoing and officials are examining all available evidence.
Political row intensifies
The case has triggered a political confrontation in Uttar Pradesh ahead of next year’s Assembly elections.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has repeatedly accused the state government of attempting to erase evidence, while Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai alleged that the FIR was merely a formality.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also criticised the BJP government, claiming that the alleged theft had hurt the sentiments of devotees and raised serious questions over the management of temple donations.
Government reiterates zero-tolerance policy
The investigation is being carried out by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Reaffirming the government’s stand, Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna said no one found guilty would be spared.
“This is Yogi ji’s government. Since the beginning, this government has followed a policy of zero tolerance towards crime. Whoever has done something wrong will definitely be punished,” Khanna said.
Authorities are expected to continue questioning the arrested accused while expanding the probe to determine whether others were involved in the alleged misappropriation of temple donation funds.
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