Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Court Extends Custody of Eight Accused in Ram Temple Theft
A court in Ayodhya is investigating the alleged theft of donations from the Ram temple.
Eight people were arrested in the case.
The court decided they must remain in jail until September 18.
The donations included cash and valuables given by visitors.
Investigators say they have recovered Rs 79.85 lakh.
Most of the accused were bank workers who helped count the money.
One accused supervised the counting, while another was a driver.
The accused’s lawyer has also asked the court to unfreeze one person’s bank account because it contains his pension and supports his family.
An Ayodhya court extended the judicial custody of all eight accused until September 18.
The accused were arrested after a June 25 FIR based on a preliminary Special Investigation Team report.
The case concerns alleged embezzlement of cash and valuables donated at the Ram temple.
Investigators have recovered Rs 79.85 lakh, according to the prosecution.
Most accused were bank employees involved in counting donations; one supervised the process and another worked as a driver.
- Who
- Eight people associated with the temple’s donation-counting process, including bank employees, a supervisor and a driver, are accused.
- What
- An Ayodhya court extended their judicial custody in an alleged donation embezzlement case.
- When
- The custody was extended on Saturday until September 18; the FIR was filed on June 25.
- Where
- The case is being heard by the Anti-Corruption Court in Ayodhya and concerns donations at the Ram temple.
- Why
- The accused were arrested over alleged theft or embezzlement of cash and valuables offered by devotees.
Prosecution’s Case
Defense Position
Alleged embezzlement
Prosecution’s Case
Investigators allege that cash and valuables donated at the Ram temple were embezzled and report recovering Rs 79.85 lakh.
Defense Position
The accused remain in judicial custody while the case proceeds; the article does not report a detailed denial of the allegations.
Bank account freeze
Prosecution’s Case
The prosecution has sought to investigate assets connected to the case, including a frozen bank account.
Defense Position
Defense lawyer Kul Shekhar Singh sought to unfreeze Subhash Srivastava’s Canara Bank account, saying it receives his pension and supports his family.
- Accused
- Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ram Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ramashankar alias Tinnu Yadav
- Custody deadline
- September 18
- Recovered amount
- Rs 79.85 lakh, according to the prosecution
- FIR date
- June 25
- Court
- Special Judge Rajat Verma, Anti-Corruption Court, Ayodhya
- Donation roles
- Most accused were bank employees counting donations; Subhash Srivastava supervised the process and Tinnu Yadav worked as a driver
- Related court plea
- A request to unfreeze Subhash Srivastava’s Canara Bank account was adjourned to September 9