Ram Mandir Donation Theft Case: FIR Filed Against 8 After SIT Submits Interim Probe Report

Ram Mandir Donation Theft: An FIR has been registered in Ayodhya in connection with the Ram Mandir donation theft case, days after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its investigation report to the Uttar Pradesh government headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The complaint was filed by Ram Janmabhoomi Trust member Krishna Mohan, following which an FIR was registered at an Ayodhya police station under Sections 306, 316(5), and 317(4) of the IPC. Among them, Tinnu Yadav, Anukalp Mishra, and several others have been charged under sections related to embezzlement, fraud, and criminal conspiracy.

According to reports, the FIR does not mention any prominent names and has been filed against eight individuals. Of those named, six are reportedly cashiers.

Meanwhile, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has expressed strong opposition and anger over the issue. A major VHP meeting was held in Ayodhya today, attended by five senior members of the organisation.

The fresh development comes two days after the SIT, which was investigating the multi-crore donation theft case at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, submitted its preliminary report to the government on Tuesday.

In its 20-page investigation report submitted to Home Department Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Prasad, the SIT recommended registering an FIR, restructuring the trust, and appointing a senior officer as the temple’s chief executive officer (CEO). The report named Champat Rai, general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, among those accused in the case.

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According to sources, the SIT’s investigation so far has included allegations regarding the disappearance of jewellery donated by devotees, apart from the reported cash theft at the temple. The report also raised concerns over the recruitment process for employees involved in counting donations, shortcomings in the monitoring system, and the alleged role of certain trust officials, bank employees, and other officials.

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The government constituted a three-member SIT headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Dr Vijay Vishwas Pant on June 13, following a request from the Trust, after the alleged theft of offerings at the temple came to light on June 7. The SIT began its investigation on June 15. The government had directed the team to submit its preliminary report within seven days.

( With inputs from Manoj Kumar Tripathi )