AI to track every rupee? Ram temple donations theft sparks tech push

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation heist is likely to recommend an AI-based monitoring system to prevent future thefts, sources said, as the panel prepares to submit its final report to the Uttar Pradesh government by July 15.

According to sources, the proposed AI-powered surveillance system would be one of the key recommendations in the report, aimed at strengthening oversight of temple operations, monitoring the handling of offerings and ensuring greater transparency during the counting of donations.

The SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on June 13 to probe the misappropriation of cash and valuables donated at the Ram Temple. The panel, headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, began its investigation on June 15.

A week later, on June 23, the SIT submitted its preliminary report to the state government.

The report revealed as many as 70 instances of donation theft within just 40 days, backed by CCTV footage collected during the investigation.

With the probe expanding in scope, the SIT sought additional time to complete its enquiry.

The Uttar Pradesh government subsequently extended its tenure by 15 days on July 1 and directed it to submit the final report by July 15.

The SIT is also expected to revisit Ayodhya in the coming days to examine additional records and question people associated with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and the temple's donation management system.

The controversy has also prompted the trust to review how donations are handled.

At present, all cash collected from the temple's donation boxes is deposited with the State Bank of India (SBI) branch at Naya Ghat in Ayodhya. However, the trust is now exploring alternatives, including shifting to another bank or distributing deposits across multiple banks.

The review follows a meeting earlier this week between trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri and officials of a private sector bank, sources said.

Former trust general secretary Champat Rai, in his statement before the SIT, alleged that SBI had failed to enforce basic safeguards during cash counting, including mandatory frisking of staff, pocketless uniforms and other standard security measures required for handling large volumes of cash.

The SIT's preliminary findings also flagged repeated violations of security protocols during cash counting and examined whether supervisory lapses contributed to the alleged embezzlement.

Meanwhile, investigators have widened the financial probe by seeking details of the accused persons' income, bank accounts, investments, movable and immovable assets from the Income Tax Department, banks, tehsil offices and sub-registrar offices.

Police are also verifying whether any assets were acquired outside Ayodhya district or whether investments were made in the names of relatives or associates of the accused.

Eight people, including trust employees associated with the temple's donation-counting process, have been arrested so far.

Police have recovered around Rs 80 lakh in cash and some jewellery from some of the accused.

Separately, the Trust has also tightened security protocols by deactivating the identification credentials previously used by Champat Rai, Gopal Rao and trustee Anil Mishra to issue VIP entry passes.

With the IDs deactivated following their resignations, all passes issued through those credentials have become invalid, sources said.

In another development, police have sought a seven-day custodial remand of two jailed accused, arguing that fresh disclosures made during the investigation require verification and recovery of additional evidence.

The Anti-Corruption Court is scheduled to hear the plea on July 14.

- Ends