Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft: The Investigation Unfolds

In a disturbing revelation that has sent shockwaves across Uttar Pradesh, the police investigation into the siphoning of donation money at the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya has exposed a calculated and highly organized theft ring. Operating from within the sanctum of the donation counting center, a group of employees managed to steal lakhs of rupees in cash offerings made by devotees. What has stunned investigators most is the audacious yet simple modus operandi utilized by the perpetrators to bypass the temple's multi-layered security checks.

According to disclosures made by the Ayodhya Police and the Special Investigation Team (SIT), the stolen currency notes were temporarily stashed in the ceiling panels and hidden compartments of the temple's washrooms. This strategic hiding spot allowed the accused to clear the immediate security checkpoints at the counting room doors before eventually smuggling the money out of the complex in small tranches over several weeks.

The Modus Operandi: Exploiting Blind Spots and Washrooms

The primary conspirator has been identified as Avinash Shukla, an assistant supervisor who was entrusted with overseeing the counting of cash from the temple's massive donation boxes. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust receives millions of rupees daily from pilgrims visiting from all corners of the globe. Given the sheer volume of cash, the trust established a dedicated counting room equipped with high-definition CCTV cameras and security personnel.

However, investigators found that Shukla and his accomplices—which included outsourced sanitation staff and security assistants—had meticulously studied the placement of the cameras. They identified several blind spots where the camera coverage was either blocked or distorted. During the counting process, the accused would quietly slip high-value currency notes (principally Rs 500 notes) into their clothing or trash bags. To prevent immediate detection at the exit gates, where frisking is mandatory, they would take the cash directly to the washrooms. The money was hidden behind ventilation ducts, false ceilings, and under sink basins in the public toilets. Once the shift ended and security relaxed, the money was retrieved and carried out of the outer gates in small bundles inside their personal bags or pockets.

How the Theft Was Discovered

The scam came to light when the temple trust officials noticed a consistent discrepancy between the estimated weight of the donation boxes and the actual cash deposited in the bank accounts. In addition, internal audits indicated a downward trend in collections despite a massive surge in daily footfalls. Suspicion immediately fell on the staff operating inside the secure counting zone.

Upon reviewing weeks of CCTV footage, security officials noticed suspicious movements by Shukla and several cleaning staff who made unusually frequent trips to the washrooms carrying trash bins or cleaning supplies. A formal complaint was lodged, leading to a police investigation and subsequent raids. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime, detailing how they had been executing the theft for months without drawing attention.

Police Action and Widening Probe

Following the confessions, police recovered a substantial amount of the stolen cash from the residences of the accused. The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) covering theft, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy. The trust has suspended the accused employees and initiated a complete review of its security protocols.

The Ayodhya police chief stated that the investigation is ongoing to check if any external handlers or jewelry merchants were involved in laundering the stolen cash. The security of the counting room is being upgraded with the installation of 360-degree cameras with no blind spots, and the trust is considering hiring a professional cash-handling agency to manage the donations transparently.