Ayodhya donation probe: Who are the eight accused under SIT scanner?

The eight people arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya come from vastly different backgrounds: A primary school teacher, a former automobile mechanic, a retired bank employee, contract workers and a trusted aide of a senior Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust functionary.

Investigators believe the group, despite their varied professions and modest incomes, played different roles in what they suspect was a systematic siphoning of devotees' cash offerings. Police have told reporters that most of the accused were engaged through an outsourcing agency to handle various stages of the temple's donation-counting process, while others held supervisory or administrative responsibilities.

SIT probe expands

As the Special Investigation Team (SIT) expands its probe, investigators are examining each accused's financial transactions, assets and alleged role in the conspiracy, with recoveries of cash, jewellery and foreign currency already made during searches.

During questioning, Avinash Shukla, who worked as a primary school teacher and drinking water vendor, allegedly told investigators that currency notes were removed from the counting centre by exploiting CCTV blind spots and temporarily hiding the cash inside washrooms. News agency PTI quoted unnamed sources as claiming that he had been residing at a yoga centre in Ayodhya for several years.

Anukalp Mishra’s assets under scanner

Another accused, Anukalp Mishra, worked as a contract employee in the temple's donation-counting unit through the outsourcing agency. A resident of Basawan village in Ayodhya's Milkipur area, he reportedly earned around Rs 15,000 a month. Police are scrutinising assets allegedly acquired by him, including a house valued at around Rs 65 lakh, a farmhouse in his native village, a premium motorcycle and a booked sport utility vehicle, which appear disproportionate to his known sources of income.

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Around Rs 16.8 lakh in cash was allegedly recovered during searches linked to Anukalp Mishra. Police are also examining his reported family ties with temple trust member Anil Mishra and his close association with co-accused and brother-in-law Lavkush Mishra.

Contract workers in donation counting

Lavkush Mishra, another contract worker engaged in donation counting, had earlier worked as an automobile mechanic earning around Rs 10,000-12,000 a month. A resident of Minapur Fagauli village, he is reported to have studied up to Class 12. Sources alleged that he was involved in diverting donations, while police claimed to have recovered around Rs 14.25 lakh in cash during the investigation.

Ramshankar Mishra, also employed as a contract worker in the donation-counting unit, allegedly handled cash inside the secure counting room and was part of the conspiracy to siphon donations. Police sources said about Rs 7.3 lakh in cash was recovered during searches linked to him. Beyond his role in the counting operations, authorities have disclosed little about his background.

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Ramshankar Yadav, popularly known as Tinnu Yadav, has been described by sources as one of the key figures in the alleged conspiracy. Initially appointed as the personal driver of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai, he later became a trusted aide associated with temple administration and VIP management. Police alleged that he had unauthorised access to the keys of the donation-counting room and donation boxes, enabling manipulation of the counting process. Investigators are also analysing WhatsApp conversations recovered during the probe.

Roles under scrutiny

Co-accused Manish Kumar Yadav, who worked in the temple's donation-counting team, is reported to be Tinnu Yadav's nephew. Police sources alleged that he secured the assignment through family connections and was involved in handling cash inside the counting room. Cash was also recovered during searches linked to him, and investigators are examining his financial transactions.

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Subhash Chandra Srivastava, a retired bank employee, had been engaged by the temple trust to supervise donation counting at the Pilgrim Facility Centre. Bringing years of banking experience to the operation, he oversaw counting shifts and has also been identified in reports as a local RSS functionary. Police sources alleged that he failed to prevent irregularities and played a role in facilitating the alleged embezzlement.

Karunesh Pandey, another contract employee hired through the outsourcing agency, was responsible for opening donation boxes, sorting cash and assisting in the counting process. Police sources alleged that he too was part of the conspiracy to siphon funds and claimed to have recovered more than Rs 18 lakh in cash during searches linked to him.

(With agency inputs)