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Sources said police have recovered some important documents from Ramashankar Mishra’s house. The investigation is ongoing.
Image credit: PTI
Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday carried out simultaneous raids at 10 locations in Ayodhya as part of the investigation into the alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement case.
According to sources, family members of all eight accused are being questioned as the probe continues. Police are also searching for documents and records belonging to the families.
Raids are underway at the ancestral homes of accused Anukalp Mishra and Lavkush Mishra in the Milkipur rural area.
Investigators are also questioning the family members of Ramashankar Mishra at his residence.
Sources said police have recovered some important documents from Ramashankar Mishra’s house. The investigation is ongoing.
The alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement controversy came to light on June 7 after Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan ‘Pawan’ Pandey claimed that donations worth between Rs 5 crore and Rs 7.5 crore had been siphoned off from temple offerings.
Following a request from the temple trust, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13. The SIT carried out a preliminary inquiry in Ayodhya from June 15 to June 20 and reportedly found prima facie irregularities in the handling of cash and valuables donated by devotees.
Based on the findings, an FIR was lodged against eight named accused and several unidentified persons under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Those arrested include Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, a close aide of Rai, along with Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, Ramashankar Mishra, Manish Yadav and Karunesh Pandey. Anukalp Mishra and Lavkush Mishra are related to each other and are also related to Anil Mishra.
As part of the investigation, police teams reached the residences of the accused at around 7 am and carried out extensive searches while questioning their family members.
According to officials, six police teams simultaneously conducted raids at multiple locations linked to the accused. Investigators questioned relatives about the accused’s activities, financial dealings and possible associates. They also spoke to neighbours to gather information about the accused, their movements, visitors and any suspicious activities that could aid the probe.
All eight accused are currently in judicial custody.
Investigators are also examining whether more people were part of the alleged conspiracy and are gathering additional evidence to strengthen the case.
Meanwhile, the temple trust sought to reassure devotees, stating that it remained committed to a fair and transparent investigation. “We are shocked, hurt, and deeply saddened by the incidents reported over the past few days… We assure everyone that we will take measures to prevent any such unfortunate situation from arising in the future,” it said.
The trust also appealed to devotees not to believe “rumours or misinformation” and maintained that the sanctity of the temple had not been compromised.
“We assure everyone that no irreparable damage has occurred to the sanctity of the temple. We request all devotees not to be misled by rumours, misinformation or false propaganda. Such attempts cannot shake Sanatan Dharma, the temple or the faith of millions of devotees,” the statement said.
Ayodhya, India, India
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