The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has uncovered.
What investigators believe was a gradual theft operation that began with small amounts of cash before allegedly escalating into a multi-crore scam.
According to sources, the accused exploited weak surveillance at the temple, taking advantage of periods when the CCTV control room was either unattended or inadequately monitored. Investigators believe these security lapses allowed the thefts to continue undetected for an extended period.
During police interrogation, the arrested accused allegedly admitted that six temple employees began stealing donations just two to three months after joining their jobs.
Initially, they allegedly smuggled out one or two ₹500 notes hidden inside their clothes. As the thefts went unnoticed, the accused reportedly grew more confident and gradually escalated their activities, eventually taking entire bundles of currency from the donation collections.
According to sources, the accused have confessed to collectively siphoning off nearly ₹2-3 crore over time.
The investigation has further revealed that seven of the arrested individuals allegedly invested part of the stolen money in purchasing properties in Ayodhya and other places. Investigators are now examining these transactions to trace the flow of funds and identify assets acquired using the alleged proceeds of the crime.
Sources said the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust recovered nearly ₹79 lakh in cash, along with jewellery suspected to have been purchased using the stolen funds, during searches conducted around June 4 and 5. Additional cash was also recovered during subsequent raids following the arrests.
Officials are currently verifying the recovered jewellery. If the accused or their family members can produce valid purchase records or establish that the ornaments were acquired through legitimate means, they will be returned. However, if investigators determine that the jewellery was bought using the allegedly stolen temple donations, it will be treated as case property and further legal action will follow.
The investigation is continuing, with police probing the full extent of the alleged embezzlement and examining whether any other individuals were involved in the operation.
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