Hidden Cameras, No Security Checks And Bank Account Trail: Inside Ram Temple Donation Row

Last Updated:June 26, 2026, 17:10 IST

Hidden cameras were installed inside the counting room at the Ram Temple after officials suspected some funds are missing.

As many as eight people have been arrested in connection with the alleged theft and embezzlement of devotees’ donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

According to Uttar Pradesh Police sources, the alleged fraud came to light after temple officials noticed discrepancies between the cash collected from donation boxes and the amount being deposited in the bank during the last week of May.

Hidden Cameras Installed After Suspicion

Police sources said temple authorities became suspicious after observing that while each donation box typically contained around Rs 6–7 lakh, bundles of Rs 500 notes repeatedly appeared to be short of the expected amount.

To verify their suspicions, officials installed hidden cameras inside the room where donations were counted, in addition to the existing CCTV surveillance system.

According to police sources, footage recorded over nearly a week allegedly showed some employees deliberately positioning themselves in front of the visible CCTV cameras to obstruct their view. During this time, another employee was allegedly seen removing currency notes from prepared cash bundles and concealing them inside his clothes. The alleged acts were reportedly captured by the hidden cameras.

Another Alleged Method of Theft

Police sources further claimed that investigators uncovered another alleged method used to siphon off cash.

According to the sources, employees preparing cash bundles would intentionally insert extra currency notes into each bundle. When the cash reached the bank, officials allegedly counted only the number of bundles instead of recounting the individual notes before preparing the deposit voucher.

Police sources alleged that during the transportation of the cash from the temple to the bank, the extra notes were removed from the bundles. Since the voucher reflected only the number of bundles, the deposited amount allegedly appeared to match the records, while the removed cash was misappropriated.

Investigators have said that Anukalp Mishra, who was responsible for preparing donation vouchers, carried out the manipulation with the assistance of his brother-in-law, Lav Kush Mishra.

According to police sources, around Rs 10 lakh in cash was recovered from Lav Kush Mishra’s residence during the investigation.

Recruitment Through Personal Connections

Police sources also alleged that several employees engaged in the donation counting process had been recruited through personal contacts or recommendations.

According to the investigation, Ram Shankar Yadav, alias Tinnu Yadav, who had previously worked as the driver of former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, was serving as a supervisor and had allegedly arranged for his cousin, Manish Yadav, to join the cash-counting team.

Similarly, investigators alleged that Anukalp Mishra had facilitated the appointment of his brother-in-law, Lav Kush Mishra, for the same work.

No Security Checks on Employees

Police sources said the investigation found that employees were allegedly not subjected to security checks while leaving the donation counting room.

According to investigators, this lack of frisking allowed some employees to gradually remove cash from the room where donation boxes were opened, money was sorted and cash bundles were prepared.

Money Allegedly Deposited Into Personal Bank Account

Investigators also examined the financial transactions of one of the accused, Avinash Pandey.

According to police sources, officials compared the dates on which money was allegedly stolen with the dates of donations deposited by the temple into its bank accounts. During questioning, officials of the Ram Temple Trust allegedly informed investigators that the comparison suggested Avinash Pandey had deposited a portion of the allegedly stolen donation money into his personal bank account.

Donated Jewellery Also Allegedly Stolen

Apart from cash, police sources alleged that jewellery donated by devotees was also misappropriated.

The items allegedly stolen include earrings, jhumkas, nose rings, bangles offered to Ram Lalla, and anklets.

According to investigators, the alleged theft took place before the jewellery recovered from the donation boxes was officially recorded and catalogued.

Access to Donation Counting Room Under Scanner

Police sources further alleged that Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav, and Subhash Chandra regularly entered and exited the room where donation boxes were opened and counted.

The investigation into the alleged embezzlement is continuing, and police are examining the role of all individuals who had access to the donation counting process.

About the Author

Saurabh VermaSenior Sub-editor

Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Chief Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

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