The Ram Mandir donation theft investigation has reached a decisive stage, with police taking key accused Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu and his nephew Manish Yadav to the temple premises while reconstructing the alleged crime.
The investigation into the alleged theft of donations from Ayodhya's Ram Mandir has entered a crucial phase, with police intensifying their probe into key accused Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu and his nephew Manish Yadav.
The duo is currently under a 39-hour police remand, during which investigators have been piecing together the sequence of events and examining fresh evidence.
As part of the investigation, police took both accused to their residence in the early hours of Sunday before escorting Tinnu to the Ram Janmabhoomi complex to recreate aspects of the alleged crime.
Investigators believe the site visit could help verify statements made during questioning and establish how the alleged theft was carried out.
The latest interrogation follows the custodial questioning of six other accused in the case.
During those earlier rounds of investigation, police claimed to have uncovered a wider conspiracy, recovered around Rs 2 lakh allegedly stolen from temple donations, and identified the suspected roles of several individuals involved in handling the offerings.
According to investigators, Tinnu allegedly kept the keys to the temple's donation boxes without any formal authorisation.
Police are also probing claims that a senior member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust unofficially handed over the keys to him, allowing unrestricted access to the donation counting area and other parts of the temple complex.
Investigators further allege that Tinnu used his influence to secure a place for his nephew Manish Yadav on the temple's donation counting team.
The probe has also expanded to examine allegations that Tinnu established a construction company in his wife's name and that his son obtained employment in the Public Works Department through the influence associated with the Ram Mandir.
Police said questioning of the uncle-nephew duo is continuing and more disclosures are expected before their remand ends on Sunday night.
They are scheduled to be produced before the court after the expiry of their police custody.
Published: 19 Jul 2026, 02:04 pm IST
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