- Manish Yadav embezzled Ram Mandir donations within 27 days.
- SIT report reveals widespread irregularities in temple hiring.
- Champat Rai received clean chit despite trustee resignations.
Jagran Correspondent, Ayodhya: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) report revealed that Manish Yadav, nephew of Tinnu Yadav, joined the temple's counting room on April 15, 2026. Within 27 days, he joined the Anukalp gang, the mastermind behind the theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and began embezzling money. Multiple CCTV footages after May 11, 2026, show Yadav stealing the donation money.
Additionally, the SIT found that the appointment of counting personnel during this period violated the transparency guidelines agreed upon between the trust and the bank on February 6, 2025.
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SIT Exposes Irregularities In Handling Of Ram Temple Offerings, Allegations Of Providing Jobs To Favourites
While Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Dr Anil Kumar Mishra resigned in connection with the theft case, and the SIT gave a clean chit to Champat Rai, the preliminary investigation by the SIT has exposed significant irregularities surrounding the handling of temple offerings. The investigation has confirmed allegations against the trustees and their employees for providing jobs to their favourites.
What The Investigation Revealed About Hirings At Ram Temple?
According to the report, Manish Yadav, one of the eight accused, was hired on a contractual basis through his uncle, Ramashankar Yadav (Tinnu). Tinnu personally provided the relevant documents to bank employee Ratnesh Chaturvedi, allowing Manish to begin working in the temple's counting room.
The investigation further revealed that Subhash Srivastava, a former bank employee in charge of the counting room, was appointed to the role by trustee Dr Anil Kumar Mishra. However, investigators have yet to determine the source of employment for the other accused, including Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush, Avinash, and Ramashankar Mishra.
Additionally, reports indicate that Anukalp had connections with several local white-collar figures. It is rumoured that Anukalp's appointment to the trust was secured through the backing of one of these leaders.
(With Inputs From Jagran.com/Praveen Tiwari)