₹5 crore, not ₹80 lakh? SIT's big find in Ram Temple theft

Ayodhya: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Temple has indicated that the total amount siphoned off could exceed ₹5 crore, far higher than the recovery officially recorded so far.

Investigators have so far documented the recovery of cash and other valuables worth around ₹80 lakh. However, the SIT has reportedly received information suggesting that the temple trust itself had recovered between ₹2.5 crore and ₹3 crore from the accused before the official investigation began. While this has not been officially confirmed, sources indicate that only a portion of the recovered amount was formally placed on record before the SIT.

According to the probe, trust authorities first detected the alleged embezzlement by examining CCTV footage and identifying the suspects, following which efforts were made to recover the money even before police launched a formal investigation.

The SIT believes the accused may already have spent another ₹2 crore to ₹2.5 crore, which, if confirmed, would push the total amount misappropriated beyond ₹5 crore.

The investigation took a decisive turn after the custodial interrogation of Subhash Srivastava, who was responsible for counting temple donations. He is reported to have admitted to being part of the conspiracy and disclosed that irregularities in handling donation funds had occurred earlier as well.

Eight people have been arrested so far. Investigators say Subhash identified Tinnu Yadav as the alleged mastermind behind the operation and described his role in planning how and when the cash was diverted. The SIT is also examining the accused's assets and pursuing fresh leads that emerged during interrogation.