Eight persons named in an FIR over the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have been arrested, senior Uttar Pradesh Police officials said on Friday.

The arrests come a day after an FIR was registered following a preliminary probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) into allegations of financial irregularities in the handling of devotees' offerings at the temple.

The case was registered at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station on the complaint of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Krishna Mohan.

According to the FIR, the accused allegedly misappropriated donations offered by devotees at the Ram Temple, including cash, gold, silver, jewellery, and other valuables collected through donation boxes and designated collection counters.

The FIR invokes multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 61 and 3(5). Here's what these charges mean:

Section 306 – Theft by clerk or servant against employer

This provision applies when a clerk, servant, or employee steals property belonging to or in the possession of their employer. Investigators have invoked this section as some of the accused were allegedly entrusted with handling, transporting, or counting temple donations. The offence is cognisable and non-bailable and is punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine.

Section 316(5) – Criminal breach of trust

Section 316 deals with criminal breach of trust. Sub-section (5) provides enhanced punishment when a person entrusted with property dishonestly misappropriates, converts or uses it for personal gain while acting in an official or fiduciary capacity. The punishment can extend to 10 years' imprisonment or even life imprisonment, along with a fine.

Section 317(4) – Habitually dealing in stolen property

This section penalises any person who habitually receives, possesses, or deals in property knowing, or having reason to believe, that it is stolen. The offence carries a punishment of up to life imprisonment or imprisonment for up to 10 years, besides a fine.

Section 61 – Criminal conspiracy

Section 61 relates to criminal conspiracy, which involves an agreement between two or more persons to commit an illegal act or to achieve a lawful objective through illegal means. In cases involving serious offences, those found guilty of conspiracy may face the same punishment prescribed for the principal offence.

Section 3(5) – Common intention

Section 3(5) establishes the principle of joint criminal liability. It states that when several persons commit an offence in furtherance of a common intention, each of them can be held responsible for the entire criminal act, regardless of the specific role played.

The FIR follows the SIT's preliminary investigation into allegations that donations made by devotees at the Ram Temple were siphoned off during the collection and accounting process.

While the police have made eight arrests, the investigation is continuing to establish the full extent of the alleged embezzlement and whether any additional persons were involved.