Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested two individuals and named eight accused in a case involving the alleged embezzlement of cash offerings from the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, June 25, 2026 — Uttar Pradesh Police have registered a criminal case and arrested two individuals in connection with the alleged embezzlement of cash offerings from donation boxes at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, marking a significant development in a widening investigation into suspected financial irregularities involving temple donations.
The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged on a complaint filed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. According to police, eight individuals have been named as accused, including six temple employees entrusted with counting and handling cash donations collected from devotees.
Police said two accused, Anukalp Mishra and Lavkush Mishra, have been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace the remaining suspects. Investigators claim that CCTV footage allegedly captured all eight individuals siphoning off money from the temple’s donation collection system.
Eight Named in FIR
The accused named in the FIR include:
- Anukalp Mishra (arrested)
- Lavkush Mishra (arrested)
- Avinash Shukla
- Ramshankar Mishra, reportedly the driver of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai
- Manish Yadav
- Subhash Chandra Srivastava
- Karunesh Pandey
- Another individual whose identity has been reported differently by various media outlets
Police teams have launched search operations to apprehend the remaining accused.
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VIDEO | Ram temple donation embezzlement: As FIR was lodged in Ayodhya on complaint from Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, UP Congress chief Ajay Rai (@kashikirai) says, “See, yesterday in 75 districts of UP, the Congress ran a campaign about the Ram Temple donation embezzlement… pic.twitter.com/GOQ0hyTmIz
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 25, 2026
Part of Wider Donation Scam Probe
The arrests come amid an ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations that large sums of money donated by devotees may have been systematically siphoned off over an extended period. Earlier reports had suggested that the alleged misappropriation could involve between ₹5 crore and ₹7.5 crore.
The three-member SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government earlier this month at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust after concerns were raised regarding the handling of temple donations.
According to reports, the SIT has submitted a preliminary report identifying 17 individuals as accused in the case. The report reportedly recommends the registration of criminal cases and suggests major administrative reforms, including the possible restructuring of the Trust and the appointment of an administrator to strengthen oversight mechanisms.
Cash Recovery and Procedural Lapses
Investigators have reportedly recovered substantial amounts of unaccounted cash during searches conducted as part of the probe. Media reports indicate that between ₹10 lakh and ₹12 lakh was recovered from the residence of one of the arrested accused, Lavkush Mishra, with a portion allegedly concealed beneath cow dung.
The SIT is also said to have identified several procedural lapses in the management of temple donations, including deficiencies in cash handling procedures, CCTV monitoring, employee verification processes, and the transportation of offerings to banks.
Investigators are further examining reports that keys to certain donation boxes were found in the possession of an individual identified in some accounts as Ramshankar Yadav, also known as “Tinnu.”
As part of the inquiry, more than 150 people have reportedly been questioned, including senior Trust functionaries such as General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Dr. Anil Mishra.
Political Reactions
The alleged embezzlement has triggered sharp political reactions.
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Mohammad Azam described the acknowledgment of theft allegations as a “victory for Ram devotees,” arguing that concerns raised earlier had now been vindicated.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for swift legal action, demanding the immediate prosecution of those found responsible. The organisation has also sought fast-track court proceedings and a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability.
The controversy has reignited a broader debate over the management of religious institutions and the need for stronger financial safeguards, transparent auditing mechanisms, and professional oversight of donation systems.
Supreme Court Petitions
Meanwhile, the matter has reached the Supreme Court, where petitions seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)-monitored inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of temple funds have been filed by various petitioners and opposition voices. The apex court is scheduled to hear related pleas on June 29.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has maintained that it acted proactively by requesting the SIT investigation and has emphasised that regular audits of temple finances are conducted. However, no detailed official response was immediately available from the Trust regarding the latest arrests as of Thursday evening.
With investigations continuing and the full SIT report yet to be made public, officials have indicated that further arrests and additional disclosures may follow in the coming days.
