Ram Temple Cash Theft Case: 6 of 8 Arrested Worked for Varanasi Security Firm

Ram Temple Donation Case: 6 of 8 Arrested Were Employees of Varanasi Security Firm, Probe Widens

Six of the eight people arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya were employed by a Varanasi-based private security agency that supplied manpower for the temple’s cash-counting operations, according to a Hindustan Times report.

The security agency, Sainik Security Services, was incorporated as a private limited company in December 2017 and is registered in Varanasi with a paid-up capital of Rs 1 lakh, according to records on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal.

The revelations come as the Uttar Pradesh Police expands its investigation into alleged irregularities in the handling of temple donations.

Eight Arrested After SIT Probe

The case surfaced after a Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on June 13, reportedly found serious violations of standard operating procedures governing the collection and counting of temple donations.

Based on the SIT’s preliminary findings, an FIR was registered on June 25, leading to the arrest of eight people associated with the donation-counting process.

Those arrested include Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Manish Yadav, Subhash Srivastava, Avinash Shukla, Rama Shankar Mishra and Karunesh Pandey.

Security Agency Explains Recruitment Process

According to Hindustan Times, Sainik Security Services director Gaurav Singh said the agency was hired by the State Bank of India’s Naya Ghat branch in Ayodhya to provide manpower for the Ram Temple Trust’s cash-counting work.

Singh claimed the local SBI branch itself recommended the names of 19 individuals who were later deployed for the assignment.

“Usually, it’s the corporate office that raises demand, but in this case, the local branch raised the demand for the 19 employees,” Singh was quoted as saying.

He added that the branch requested the agency to absorb 19 people who had already been working with it and deploy them through the security firm. According to Singh, each employee received a monthly salary of around Rs 20,000.

SBI Says It Is Cooperating

The State Bank of India said it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

The bank stated that it has been providing banking services to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust since the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in January 2024.

According to Hindustan Times, court documents submitted by Ayodhya Police show that six of the eight arrested accused were on the payroll of Sainik Security Services.

The report further said one accused, Ram Shankar Yadav, was allegedly paid directly by the Trust, while another, Subhash Srivastava, a retired bank employee, did not receive any salary.

The newspaper also reported that Anukalp Mishra and Lavkush Mishra are related to each other and to former Trust member Anil Mishra, while Ram Shankar Yadav and Manish Yadav are also related.

Champat Rai Questioned, Security Personnel Under Scanner

As part of the investigation, police on Tuesday recorded the statement of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai at his residence in Karsevakpuram.

Investigators also questioned accused Avinash Shukla inside the district jail after obtaining court permission. According to PTI, the Trust had recovered Rs 20 lakh from Shukla on June 5.

The probe has now widened to examine the role of nearly 400 private security personnel deployed across the Ram Temple complex. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage, duty rosters, entry and exit logs, and statements of security staff to determine whether established security protocols were followed.

Police have also recovered nearly Rs 80 lakh in cash and foreign currency from six of the accused. Investigators allege that one of the arrested men, Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, a former driver of Champat Rai, was in possession of keys to multiple donation boxes, allegedly in violation of the prescribed standard operating procedures.

Meanwhile, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is expected to meet on July 6 to discuss the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and Trust member Anil Mishra as the investigation continues.