Fresh Twist In Ram Temple Donation Theft Probe: SBI Wanted Counting Staff Removed 3 Months Ago

Last Updated:June 29, 2026, 12:45 IST

SBI had suspected irregularities in the cash-counting process of Ayodhya Ram Temple and advised that the staff handling temple donations be replaced.

Ayodhya Ram Mandir Donation Theft: The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has uncovered fresh details, with reports claiming that the State Bank of India (SBI) had recommended removing the donation-counting staff nearly three months before the alleged theft came to light.

According to an NDTV report, the bank had suspected irregularities in the cash-counting process and advised that the staff handling temple donations be replaced. However, sources alleged that some officials of the temple trust intervened and prevented their removal.

Police have recorded the statement of Champat Rai, former general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, in connection with the case. Report said notices are also likely to be issued to former trustee Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao. While Rai and Mishra have resigned from the trust, sources said Rao may also step away from trust-related activities.

Staff retained despite theft concerns

The SBI, which maintains the temple trust’s principal account, had outsourced the cash-counting work to an external agency. Sources claimed the bank had received indications about possible siphoning of donation money and recommended that the outsourced staff be removed.

The outsourcing agency had reportedly started the process of removing the employees, but trust officials allegedly defended the staff and prevented their dismissal.

The report further claimed the bank was unable to override the influence of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, following which the staff continued in their roles and the alleged theft remained undetected.

Bank officials and recruitment process under scrutiny

The roles of two SBI employees, Ratnesh and Gagandeep, have also come under investigation. According to sources, both were regular bank employees who supervised the cash-counting process and remained present in the counting rooms.

Police sources claimed investigators have gathered evidence linking them to the alleged theft and that action against them may follow. Investigators have also found that appointments for the cash-counting work were allegedly made through recommendations without police verification.

Among the eight arrested, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Ramashankar Mishra, Avnish and Karunesh Shukla were recruited through an outsourcing agency. Sources said they were either relatives or close associates of trust officials and worked under the supervision of Ratnesh and Gagandeep.

The remaining two accused are Subhash Srivastava and Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav.

Probe expands to bank operations

The Temple Trust is expected to introduce new guidelines for future appointments, including proper screening and performance reviews. A final decision is likely to be taken during a meeting scheduled for July 11.

Meanwhile, an Ayodhya Police team visited the SBI’s Naya Ghat branch on Monday and questioned the branch manager, whose statement was recorded. The branch maintains the main account of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, where donations collected from devotees are deposited after being counted inside the temple premises.

Investigators are examining whether bank officials followed the prescribed procedures while receiving and processing the donations and whether any lapses enabled the alleged diversion of funds.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has widened its probe beyond the arrested suspects to examine whether supervisory failures or possible collusion allowed devotees’ offerings to be siphoned off before reaching the trust’s account.

The case gathered pace after the SIT submitted its preliminary findings, leading to the registration of an FIR against eight accused. All eight have since been arrested on charges including theft, criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Police have also alleged that some accused deleted WhatsApp chats and other data from their mobile phones, while others formatted their devices before their arrest. The seized phones will undergo forensic examination to recover deleted data that may help establish communication between the accused and uncover the alleged conspiracy.

Investigators have also carried out raids at multiple locations linked to the accused to trace the money trail and recover documents, electronic devices and other evidence.

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