DIVYA DELHI : Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The arrests were made following the registration of an FIR based on the findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which reportedly uncovered evidence of financial irregularities in the handling and counting of temple donations. Among those arrested is Subhash Srivastava, a retired bank employee who was responsible for supervising donation-counting operations. Another accused, Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav, is a former driver and close aide associated with the temple administration. The remaining accused — Avinash Shukla, Lavkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, and Ramashankar Mishra — were reportedly involved in the counting and handling of cash donations. Investigators allege that members of the counting team misappropriated funds during the donation-counting process. According to officials, several of the accused were outsourced staff deployed for counting cash donations at the temple. The SIT’s preliminary report cited oral, documentary, and electronic evidence supporting the allegations. Authorities have reportedly recovered nearly ₹80 lakh during the investigation. All eight accused were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody as the probe continues. Officials have indicated that further arrests and action may follow if additional evidence emerges. The case has drawn significant attention due to the scale of donations received by the Ram Mandir and concerns over the management and security of donated funds. Investigators are also examining possible security lapses and violations of standard operating procedures in the temple’s donation-handling system.
