The investigation into the theft of offerings at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has taken a significant turn with the discovery of a suspicious donation box. During recent raids, authorities uncovered a box labeled 'Ramraj Kosh' equipped with a QR code at a local Yoga Center. This discovery has raised serious questions about the scale of the illicit operations and the methods used to divert sacred offerings intended for the temple. The Yoga Center emerged as a focal point of the investigation after it was revealed that the highest amount of stolen cash was recovered from this very location. The presence of a private QR code on a donation box suggests a sophisticated attempt to siphon off funds under the guise of official temple collections.
The Yoga Center Connection and Accused Avinash Shukla
The investigation has highlighted the role of Avinash Shukla, one of the primary accused in the case. Reports indicate that Avinash Shukla resided at the Yoga Center with his brother before being forced to flee as the investigation intensified. On June 5, police conducted a thorough search of the Yoga Center and subsequently took Avinash into custody. However, the staff at the center, including Yogacharya Seema Tiwari, have distanced themselves from the illicit activities. Tiwari stated that the center's reputation has been tarnished due to Avinash's actions and called for the strictest possible punishment for those involved, while she emphasized that such a large-scale theft couldn't be the work of a single individual, hinting at a broader conspiracy.
SIT Investigation Extended and Confessions
Given the complexity of the case and the emerging evidence, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been granted an extension until July 15 to complete its probe. During a recent two-hour interrogation in jail, Avinash Shukla reportedly confessed to his involvement in the theft. The authorities are now meticulously examining the assets and properties of all the accused to trace the flow of the stolen money. The investigation is no longer limited to the ground-level perpetrators but has reached the highest echelons of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Treasurer Govind Devgiri Under Scrutiny
The spotlight has now turned toward Govind Devgiri, the Treasurer of the Ram Mandir Trust. As the person responsible for the overall management and financial oversight of the temple's funds, his role is being closely examined. Investigators are set to question him regarding potential lapses in financial monitoring that allowed such a significant theft to occur over an extended period. Key areas of inquiry will include the methodology used for counting offerings, the process of depositing funds into the bank, and the specific provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the bank, which bears the Treasurer's signature. When approached by journalists, Govind Devgiri remained silent, signaling the gravity of the situation ahead of the crucial Trust meeting scheduled for July 6.
Champat Rai's Statement and the Kumbh Mela Connection
Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, has expressed his deep concern over the allegations. He reportedly told his close associates that he doesn't wish to leave Ayodhya with the stigma of this scandal attached to his name, asserting that his service in Ayodhya is complete. He intends to present his side of the story only after the SIT submits its final report. Meanwhile, sources have revealed that the theft reached its peak during the Kumbh Mela, when the influx of devotees and offerings was at an all-time high. Among the 8 individuals arrested, some were reportedly involved in petty thefts even before the Kumbh. The primary allegations of large-scale theft are directed at Lavkush Mishra and Anukalp Mishra. To further investigate the financial trail, the Ayodhya police are preparing to write to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to probe potential money laundering.