Ram Temple Donations: New Evidence Emerges in Theft Probe

Top Summary

• What happened: Police have found new evidence in the Ram Temple donation theft case, linking an accused, Avinash Shukla, to transactions exceeding Rs 15 lakh.
• Why it matters: This could lead to the recovery of stolen funds and further arrests, deepening the investigation into alleged embezzlement.
• What changes: The probe's scope has been widened, and authorities are verifying new claims about the source of funds.
• Who is affected: Devotees, the temple administration, the accused, and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) are involved.

New Financial Trails Uncovered

Authorities investigating the theft of donations from Ayodhya's Ram Temple have uncovered significant new evidence. The focus is on Avinash Shukla, one of the accused, whose financial transactions reportedly surpassed Rs 15 lakh.

Police are now scrutinizing these extensive transactions. They aim to determine if the large sums of money moved by Shukla are directly connected to the stolen temple funds.

Allegations of Lavish Gifts Under Scrutiny

Further investigation revealed that Shukla allegedly gifted approximately Rs 2 lakh in cash to a woman friend. This gift also included an expensive mobile phone, both of which are now part of the ongoing probe.

Shukla's brother, Abhishek, reportedly observed him carrying substantial amounts of cash to a yoga centre after work. When questioned about the source, Shukla provided evasive answers.

Witness Accounts Add to Investigation

Abhishek later inquired with another individual, Anukalp, about the cash. Anukalp claimed the money came from devotees, attributing it to their happiness and payments for darshan assistance.

Anukalp also reportedly warned Abhishek against pursuing the matter further, advising him not to discuss the source of the funds.

The police are currently working to verify the veracity of these claims and statements made by Anukalp.

SIT Extends Investigation Timeline

On July 3, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) actively involved in probing the alleged embezzlement visited the Ram Temple premises. This visit was part of their ongoing efforts to gather more information and conduct further on-site investigations.

The state government had previously granted a 15-day extension to the SIT on July 1. This extension is crucial to widen the scope of the probe and ensure a comprehensive inquiry into all facets of the case.