Ayodhya Police Make Major Breakthrough in Ram Temple Donation Scam

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Ayodhya Police has achieved significant progress in the high-profile Ram Temple donation embezzlement case. As of July 2, 2026, authorities have recovered close to ₹80 lakh in cash from the eight arrested suspects. The probe has now shifted focus toward detailed asset verification and property checks of the accused.

One suspect, Lavkush Mishra, is under scrutiny after reports emerged of a land purchase valued at ₹23 lakh in Ayodhya’s Sahadatganj area. This has raised serious questions about the source of funds and possible larger financial irregularities.

Detailed Cash Recovery Breakdown from the Accused

  • Avinash Shukla: Highest recovery of approximately ₹20.40 lakh, including amounts returned by family members.
  • Karunesh Pandey: ₹18.07 lakh recovered.
  • Anukalp Mishra: ₹16.82 lakh seized.
  • Lavkush Mishra: ₹14.25 lakh in cash along with property under investigation.
  • Rama Shankar Mishra: ₹7.32 lakh recovered.
  • Manish Yadav: ₹2 lakh found.
  • Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu: ₹1 lakh recovered.
  • Subhash Srivastava: No major cash recovery reported so far.

In addition to Indian currency, foreign currency notes worth nearly $900–1,000 were also seized from one of the accused, further complicating the case.

Background and Trigger of the Scandal

The controversy first surfaced on June 7 when Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan ‘Pawan’ Pandey alleged that donations between ₹5 crore and ₹7.5 crore may have been siphoned off from offerings made at the Ram Temple. Following the allegations, police launched a thorough investigation that led to the arrest of eight individuals.

Investigations revealed that six out of the eight arrested persons were previously employed by Sainik Security Services, a Varanasi-based firm. This agency was contracted to provide manpower for cash handling and housekeeping duties at the temple through the State Bank of India’s Naya Ghat branch. The company has denied any wrongdoing, claiming it only supplied general staff.

Family Ties and Trust Connections Under Lens

Several accused share close family relationships with former members of the Ram Temple Trust. These links have led to multiple resignations within the trust, including that of a senior official. The SIT has received an extension of 15 days to deepen the investigation into possible systemic loopholes in donation management and security protocols.

Authorities are now examining bank records, property documents, and communication trails to determine the full extent of the alleged embezzlement. The case has sparked widespread discussions on the need for better transparency and stricter oversight in managing public donations at religious institutions across India.

This incident serves as a wake-up call for all major temples and trusts to strengthen their internal controls and auditing mechanisms to prevent future misuse of devotees’ offerings.