Ram Mandir Donation Theft: RMO Arjun Dev Transferred After 17 Years, 8 Accused Jailed

The investigation into the high-profile donation theft case at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has intensified following the submission of a report by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). In a significant administrative move, Radio Maintenance Officer (RMO) Arjun Dev, who had been stationed in Ayodhya for the past 17 years, has been removed from his post and transferred to Gorakhpur. This action comes as the police and investigative agencies dive into deeper into the security lapses and financial irregularities surrounding the temple's offerings. Simultaneously, the legal proceedings against the primary suspects have progressed, with all eight arrested individuals being remanded to judicial custody until July 14. The police are now scrutinizing the roles of various bank employees, temple staff, and other associates to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.

The Transfer of RMO Arjun Dev After 17 Years

Arjun Dev had been a constant figure in Ayodhya's security administration since 2009. Over the course of nearly 17 years, several attempts were made to transfer him to other locations, but these orders were reportedly stalled or cancelled at various levels. Most recently, a transfer order to Lucknow was also rescinded. However, the SIT report in the donation theft case finally led to his immediate transfer to Gorakhpur. As the RMO, Arjun Dev was responsible for the oversight of approximately 1,600 CCTV cameras installed across the temple complex, including those in the sensitive counting rooms where donations are processed. He also managed the wireless communication systems. The SIT report has raised serious questions about his conduct, suggesting that he exceeded his official mandate by involving himself in VVIP darshan arrangements and other temple management tasks. It's alleged that his proximity to certain officials of the Trust allowed him to maintain his position in Ayodhya for nearly two decades despite routine transfer protocols.

Investigation Scope and Bank Notices

The investigation is no longer limited to the eight arrested individuals or the initial complaints. According to sources, between 70 and 80 people are currently under the scanner of the investigative agencies. Notices have been issued to these individuals, and they're expected to be questioned soon. The probe has also reached the financial institutions where the Ram Mandir Trust maintains its accounts. The police have issued formal notices to six major banks, including the State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda, and Canara Bank. Specifically, the SBI has been asked to provide a comprehensive list of employees who were assigned duty during the donation counting process. The roles of two bank employees, Ratnesh Chaturvedi and Gagandeep, are under particular suspicion as they were responsible for monitoring the cash counting on behalf of the bank. Plus, the police have requested detailed bank account statements for all Trust employees and their close associates from all banks operating in Ayodhya.

Forensic Analysis and Property Seizures

To gather digital evidence, the police have decided to send the mobile phones of all eight accused for forensic examination, while there is a strong suspicion that the suspects deleted crucial WhatsApp chats and communication records prior to their arrest. Forensic experts will attempt to recover this data to establish links between the accused and other potential conspirators. During recent raids at the residences of the accused, the police seized a variety of incriminating items, including land registries, property documents, bank passbooks, and significant quantities of gold and silver jewelry along with purchase receipts, while the authorities are currently verifying whether these assets were acquired using the stolen donation funds. On Monday, the eight accused were presented before the Anti-Corruption Court via video conferencing, where they were sent to judicial custody. Notably, the police didn't seek their immediate remand during this hearing.

The Case of Lavkush Mishra and the 8 Accused

One of the primary accused, Lavkush Mishra, is under intense scrutiny regarding his disproportionate assets. Investigations revealed that a 1,000 square foot plot of land was purchased in the name of his wife, Supriya Mishra, in the Shahadatganj area of Ayodhya, behind Jaipuria School. The land was reportedly purchased in October 2025 for approximately 25 lakh rupees, and a three-story house is currently under construction on the site. 5 crore rupees. Neighbors reported that construction was active until three days ago but stopped abruptly when the police investigation began. The police are questioning how Lavkush Mishra, with a monthly income of only 20,000 rupees, managed to accumulate such wealth. The FIR details the roles of the other accused as well: Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu was responsible for monitoring donation boxes; Ramashankar Mishra was involved in transporting boxes to the counting room; Anukalp Mishra and Manish Kumar Yadav were part of the counting team; Subhash Chandra Srivastava was the supervisor of the counting staff; and Karunesh Pandey and Avinash Shukla were responsible for moving the funds. Significant cash recoveries were made from their homes, including 12 lakh rupees from Lavkush Mishra, 36 lakh rupees from Manish Kumar Yadav, and 5 lakh rupees from Avinash Shukla.

Future Reforms in Donation Management

In response to the theft, the Ram Mandir Trust is planning to overhaul the donation system to prevent future occurrences. Proposed changes include the implementation of QR codes for digital donations and reducing the number of physical donation boxes from 20 to just one central box. On top of that, all gold and silver offerings will be handed over to the government mint for processing. A final decision on these security measures is expected during the Trust's meeting scheduled for July 6. The investigation continues to track the money trail and identify any unknown accomplices mentioned in the FIR.