Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Row: Police Conduct Raids At Homes of 8 Accused Including Tinnu Yadav

New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh Police conducted simultaneous raids this morning on the residences of eight individuals arrested for their alleged involvement in the embezzlement of donations meant for the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The case has ignited a major controversy, fueling intense political debate and widespread demands for accountability.

The accused- Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ram Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramashankar (alias Tinnu Yadav)- were arrested last week after CCTV footage allegedly exposed their role in the misappropriation of funds.

The suspects were responsible for counting the cash donations collected in the temple’s hundis (donation boxes).

According to reports, the police teams were accompanied by local magistrates and an independent revenue official as they carried out these searches. 

These operations follow an Ayodhya court’s decision to remand the eight suspects to judicial custody until June 29. Police are expected to request further custodial interrogation when the individuals are presented in court on Monday.

Tinnu's house locked

Police teams from the Ayodhya Janmabhoomi station, supported by a Circle Officer, found the homes of key suspects Tinnu Yadav and Manish Yadav locked during Sunday's raids. 

Officials report that Tinnu’s wife had vacated the premises before their arrival. Authorities are now looking to question the families of the accused to further the ongoing donation theft investigation.

Who is Tinnu?

Investigators identify Ramshankar Yadav, alias Tinnu, as a primary suspect in the case. According to police sources, he held considerable sway over the temple's donation counting process due to his close association with Champat Rai.

Police allege that Tinnu, who formerly worked as an auto-rickshaw driver, exercised total control over the donation process, including access to the counting room and donation boxes. Authorities are now scrutinizing his significant accumulation of assets, which are reportedly worth crores, as part of the broader probe.

Rs 79.85 lakh recovered so far

While the exact amount remains unconfirmed, it is estimated that between ₹7 crore and ₹7.5 crore in cash is missing from the temple's records. 

To date, police have recovered ₹79.85 lakh from the accused, though it is not yet clear whether any further funds were recovered during today's raids.

Case Lodged

According to officials, the case has been filed under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5), on the directions of the Uttar Pradesh Government.

Those who have been named in the FIR are: Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav, Manish Yadav and others. This comes after allegations were made by former SP MLA from Ayodhya, Pawan Pandey, who claimed that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in donations were misappropriated from the Ram Mandir.

Following the allegations, on June 14, the state government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged scam involving offerings made at the Ram Mandir, following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Trust.
 

Top office bearers resign

Notably, these raids coincide with a growing controversy over alleged embezzlement at the Ram Temple. 

On Saturday, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust announced that it has received the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, which will be reviewed at the next board meeting. 

The Trust reaffirmed its dedication to a transparent investigation and to upholding the faith of devotees. 

Additionally, it assured the public that all personal offerings- including jewelry and silver bricks- remain secure and accounted for. The Trust further noted that the current legal proceedings were initiated following an FIR based on an interim report from a state-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), which the Trust had itself requested.