Ayodhya Ram Temple donation fraud case: Six accused named in FIR after SIT findings

An FIR has been registered in connection with the alleged misappropriation of donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, with six people named as accused following preliminary findings submitted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Uttar Pradesh government.

Those named in the FIR include Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav and Manish Yadav, along with other unidentified persons, according to ANI.

The case marks a major development in the ongoing investigation into allegations that donations made by devotees at the Ram temple were unlawfully diverted. The FIR was lodged on Thursday based on a complaint filed by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

What charges have been filed?

According to police, the accused have been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 306 (theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master), 316 (criminal breach of trust), 317 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) and 61 (criminal conspiracy).

Officials said the FIR was registered after the SIT submitted its preliminary findings, which reportedly contained strong recommendations regarding the alleged financial irregularities.

SIT probe triggered by temple trust request

The Uttar Pradesh government had constituted the Special Investigation Team on June 13 after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust sought a detailed inquiry into allegations surrounding temple donations.

The three-member SIT comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan.

Sources in the administration said the preliminary report has already been submitted to the state government, paving the way for criminal proceedings.

Senior officials indicated that the state government is treating the matter seriously and that action will be taken against anyone found responsible during the course of the investigation.

The FIR comes amid mounting pressure from several quarters seeking criminal proceedings in the case. Earlier on Thursday, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) also backed demands for the registration of a case over the alleged embezzlement of temple donations.

The investigation is expected to continue as authorities scrutinise financial records and examine the role of those named in the FIR, along with any other people who may have been involved in the alleged diversion of funds meant for the temple.

With agency inputs