5 hrs ago
SIT Charges Eight Over Ram Temple Donation Diversion
Police say money donated to the Ram Temple was taken during the counting process.
They filed a very large chargesheet against eight accused people.
The chargesheet says cameras recorded 105 alleged cases of money being removed or hidden.
It says Avinash Shukla was allegedly involved 85 times.
Investigators also studied messages, phone records, bank accounts and property purchases.
Police say ₹79.85 lakh was recovered from seven accused.
They also checked donated valuables and reported no discrepancies in 803 recorded valuable items.
The accused are facing serious charges, but a court must decide whether they are guilty.
The accused will have the opportunity to challenge the evidence and present their own case.
A nearly 70,000-page SIT chargesheet alleges that eight people diverted donations during the Ram Temple cash-counting process.
Investigators identified 105 alleged instances of cash removal or concealment, including 85 occasions attributed to Avinash Shukla.
The SIT says ₹79.85 lakh was recovered from seven accused, while cash recovery was not reported from Subhash Srivastava.
Evidence cited includes CCTV footage, more than 3,000 recovered messages, call records, banking data, witness statements and a forensic audit.
The accused face criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, stolen-property and Prevention of Corruption Act charges, but the allegations will be tested in court.
- Who
- The eight accused are Anukalp Mishra, Avinash Shukla alias Shani, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu and Subhash Srivastava.
- What
- The Uttar Pradesh Police SIT filed a chargesheet alleging that donations were removed, concealed and distributed during the Ram Temple cash-counting process.
- Where
- The chargesheet was filed before the Additional District Judge (Anti-corruption) in Ayodhya.
- When
- The case was registered on June 25, and the chargesheet was filed on Wednesday; the accused are scheduled to appear on October 7.
- Why
- A preliminary SIT inquiry and a complaint by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Krishna Mohan flagged alleged irregularities in donation handling.
SIT and Prosecution Allegations
Accused and Defense Position
What happened to the donations
SIT and Prosecution Allegations
The SIT alleges that a network removed, concealed and distributed cash during counting, citing CCTV footage, messages, banking records and recoveries.
Accused and Defense Position
The allegations have not yet been proved in court; the accused are entitled to challenge the evidence and present their own case.
Extent of the alleged misconduct
SIT and Prosecution Allegations
Investigators describe 105 alleged instances during counting and attribute specific acts to several accused, including 85 alleged removals by Avinash Shukla.
Accused and Defense Position
The defense sought time to study the voluminous chargesheet before bail arguments, and the court process will determine whether the alleged acts are established.
Broader accountability
SIT and Prosecution Allegations
The chargesheet examines the alleged roles of counting staff and Ram Shankar Yadav, while also reviewing bank procedures and internal arrangements.
Accused and Defense Position
Two bank employees examined during the investigation were not named as accused, and the chargesheet has prompted questions about how senior Trust supervision was assessed.
Key facts
- Chargesheet size
- Nearly 70,000 pages
- Alleged cash incidents
- 105 instances of removal or concealment identified during the counting process
- Alleged proceeds recovered
- ₹79.85 lakh recovered from seven of the eight accused
- CCTV allegation
- Avinash Shukla was allegedly involved in removing donation money 85 times
- Digital evidence
- More than 3,000 deleted messages, CCTV footage, call records and banking data
- Valuables verified
- 803 recorded valuable articles were physically checked with no discrepancies reported
- Court status
- Chargesheet copies are to be supplied to all accused before charges are considered
Sources
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