Lucknow: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged disappearance of donations from the Ayodhya Ram Temple has intensified its investigation amid concerns over missing CCTV footage and discrepancies in witness statements.
Investigators have found that video recordings from the period during which the suspected irregularities may have occurred are unavailable. According to the probe, CCTV footage relevant to the case appears to have been deleted or altered, creating a major challenge for investigators. The temple's surveillance system reportedly retains recordings for only 45 days, prompting the SIT to explore forensic methods to recover older data.
After six days of investigation, the inquiry has entered a crucial phase focused on surveillance evidence. More than 150 individuals, including temple officials, management personnel and bank employees, have been questioned. Investigators are examining whether any irregularities took place during the counting of money collected from donation boxes installed at the temple.
Reports have also suggested that trust office bearer Anil Mishra and construction aide Gopal Rao are among those being scrutinised as part of the investigation.
The controversy has widened with claims that 60 kilograms of silver bars donated to the temple are also unaccounted for. Temple records reportedly contain no details regarding the silver. However, a jewellers' association has claimed it possesses documentation showing that the silver bars were formally handed over to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Krishna Dev Tiwari, who oversees temple jewellery and donations, was questioned by the SIT but reportedly stated that he had no knowledge of the matter.
The SIT has directed trust employees not to leave Ayodhya until the investigation is completed. The complaint was reportedly filed by a former member of the temple trust. Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has questioned why no FIR has been registered despite allegations involving large-scale temple donations.