Ram temple donation theft case: SIT probe blames ex-trustee Anil Mishra for lapses

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya has held former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust trustee Anil Mishra responsible for serious supervisory and administrative lapses, saying he failed to ensure adequate security safeguards despite repeated warning signs.

According to the SIT's preliminary report, Mishra oversaw financial matters and cash management, including coordination with the bank on the standard operating procedure (SOP) governing the counting and handling of temple donations. Investigators said he played a key role in framing the SOP and was directly responsible for coordinating cash counting, storage and security arrangements.

The report alleged that Mishra failed to issue effective written instructions to strengthen frisking of staff, deploy adequate security personnel, enforce designated uniforms, prohibit employees from carrying personal belongings into sensitive areas, conduct surprise inspections or introduce a system of daily reporting. The SIT concluded that these omissions weakened the security framework and contributed to the theft.

It further stated that despite receiving information about irregularities, Mishra failed to ensure timely corrective action, making him accountable at the supervisory level for the lapses.

CCTV FOOTAGE REVEALS 70 SUSPICIOUS INCIDENTS

The SIT's findings are based in part on CCTV footage recorded between April 27 and May 6, which captured around 70 instances of employees concealing cash during the counting of offerings.

According to the report, staff members were seen hiding currency notes in pockets, shoes and clothing, tampering with bundles of cash and engaging in other suspicious activities before carrying money out of the counting room. Investigators said the footage suggested the alleged theft was not an isolated incident, but a systematic practice repeated over several days.

The report identified six individuals whose roles were found to be prima facie suspicious during the investigation.

SECURITY PROTOCOLS IGNORED

The SIT report flagged multiple violations of security procedures in the donation-counting process. It found that employees were not being frisked adequately, personal belongings were not effectively restricted and cash from different donation boxes was often counted together.

Investigators said several safeguards prescribed under the SOP were either ignored or implemented only on paper. The report also highlighted deficiencies in record-keeping, CCTV monitoring and overall supervision of the counting process.

According to the SIT, weaknesses in security arrangements, surveillance systems and compliance mechanisms allowed the alleged thefts to go undetected for an extended period.

FINANCIAL TRAIL UNDER THE SCANNER

The SIT probe also uncovered indications of financial transactions and cash deposits disproportionate to the declared incomes of some of the accused.

Investigators have recommended a detailed examination of bank accounts, assets and financial transactions to trace the alleged proceeds of the theft. The report said nearly Rs 78.94 lakh has already been recovered from some of the accused, while an additional Rs 2.25 lakh was recovered from the counting room during the investigation.

So far, eight people, mostly involved in handling and counting donations, have been arrested in the case.

TRUST ACCEPTS RESIGNATIONS, ANNOUNCES REFORMS

The findings by the SIT came on a day when the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust accepted the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra amid the controversy.

At a meeting held inside the Ram temple complex in Ayodhya, the trust appointed trustee Krishna Mohan as interim general secretary and announced a series of reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in the temple's administration.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri described the donation theft as a matter of "deep pain and embarrassment" and said the controversy had hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees.

Giri said the donation management system would be overhauled and stricter safeguards introduced to prevent any recurrence of such incidents. He also defended Champat Rai, saying the veteran Ram temple movement leader remained "untainted" in his eyes and had voluntarily stepped down pending completion of the investigation.

The trust also announced a three-member search committee to identify a chief executive officer for the temple administration. The panel comprises retired judge Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and trustee Suresh Haware.

The controversy has triggered intense scrutiny of the temple's management and donation-handling practices, with the trust assuring devotees that those found guilty will face strict action.

- Ends

(with inputs from PTI)