- By Nidhi Giri
- Sun, 28 Jun 2026 08:34 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Search begins for those who helped eight accused in Ram Temple donation theft.
- Bank officials now under scanner.
- Retired Bank Employee Who Oversaw Counting Was Appointed As Trust Employee By A Politician
Lovelesh Kumar Mishra, Ayodhya: Following the arrest of eight accused in the Ram Temple donation theft case, the police has expanded the probe to identify the masterminds and patrons who allegedly supported the accused. Bank officials and the agency that allegedly provided counterfeiters are now under scanner. Several bank employees and others were questioned on Saturday as part of the ongoing investigation into their suspected roles.
Police are investigating whether the family members and those close to the accused have shown any unexplained improvement in their lifestyle and standards of living over the past few years. Bank account details of those involved will also be examined soon.
The SIT investigation noted the suspicious role of two bank officials, however, the FIR does not name any bank employee. The police may add these names as the investigation progresses.
Accused Arrested Soon After FIR
On Thursday, just hours after the first FIR was filed at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station in the donation theft case, the police arrested some of the accused. The FIR also invoked the Prevention of Corruption Act, suggesting a suspected role of a public servant. However, they have been listed as unidentified for now. Police sources told Jagran that an application for custody remand of the accused will be filed on Monday.
During interrogation on remand, it will also be determined whether these eight named accused were solely involved in the embezzlement case, or whether bank employees and other employees associated with the trust and temple also had a role to play. It will also be investigated whether the trustees were aware of what was going on.
Retired Bank Employee Who Oversaw Counting Was Appointed As Trust Employee By A Politician
According to sources, Subhash Srivastava, a retired bank employee who oversaw the counting, was appointed as a trust employee by a politician. Similarly, Anukalp Mishra, the mastermind of the embezzlement case, was appointed by a trustee at the behest of a politician. Later, he also included his brother-in-law, Lavkush Mishra, and Karunesh Pandey, a resident of the area, in the trust and involved them in the counting work. A politician's role is also being suspected in the appointment of Avinash Shukla.
SIT Tenure Extended
After the Ram Temple donation theft came to light on June 5, the state government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13. Led by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Dr Vijay Vishwas Pant, the SIT was to submit a preliminary report within seven days and a final report within 15 days. The SIT submitted its preliminary report to Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Prasad on June 23. The SIT's mandate was to end on June 28, but the government has extended it further.
The number of days for which the tenure has been extended has not been confirmed, but a member of the team told Jagran that there are still some points to be looked into in the investigation. Only after this will the team submit its final report. While the police will investigate the role of others based on the interrogation of the accused after taking them on remand, the scope of the SIT's investigation may expand. The SIT team may investigate the veracity of allegations of irregularities in land purchases and the disappearance of donated jewellery.