- Anukalp Mishra suspected mastermind of Ram Temple donation theft.
- Theft believed to have started early last year, before SBI system.
- Mishra used temple events to gain access, involved associates.
Correspondent, Ayodhya: The donation theft at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple may be far more extensive than was initially suspected. The misappropriation of funds is believed to have begun early last year, following the surge in devotees. Investigators suspect this timeline as Anukalp Mishra, the alleged mastermind behind the theft, was involved in the temple management during this time.
People believe that Anukalp Mishra and the others accused in the donation theft case joined the Ram Temple's management as part of a new cash management system, as the number of offerings increased with the influx of devotees. However, the fact is that Anukalp had already joined the temple's management before the consecration (Pran Pratishtha) of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024.
According to Jagran sources, Anukalp Mishra began actively participating in major events such as the flag-hoisting ceremony at the top of the Ram Temple, the anniversary celebrations of the consecration of Ram Lalla's idol, and the Deepotsav. It was from this time that Anukalp had begun exploring the Ram Janmabhoomi complex to find opportunities to carry out the theft.
As his influence grew, he added Avinash, Lavkush Mishra, Ramashankar Mishra, and Karunesh Pandey to the temple complex's management. When it came to engaging with the private agency hired by SBI for cash management, Anukalp saw his ambitions fulfilled and got his associates involved in the cash management work as well.
Tinnu Yadav, taking advantage of his proximity to Champat Rai, had already become the arbiter of cash management and donation calculations. He soon appointed his nephew Manish to this role. Subhash Srivastava, the accused in the case, was appointed on the recommendation of Anil Mishra.
Although SBI had the authority to hire people for cash management, it did not have the required manpower immediately available for this work, hence on the suggestion of the Trust officials, the alleged volunteers associated with the Ram Temple were given the work related to cash management.
Those associated with the management of the Ram Janmabhoomi complex believe that Anukalp's gang had begun with the donation theft long before the cash management system was started last year in collaboration with SBI.