Staff stole cash, security protocols not enforced: Ram Temple SIT report

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the Ram Temple Trust embezzlement case has found prima facie proof of theft and pilferage during the counting of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.

A portion of the report, submitted on June 23 and accessed by The Hindu, says the team reviewed CCTV footage from April 27 to June 5 which captured certain counting staff hiding bundles of notes and cash in their clothes, pockets, shoes, and other areas. It documented occasions when other employees seemed to assist or protect such actions.

According to the SIT, the footage revealed around 70 instances of suspected theft. The report added that, based on employee testimonies and inconsistencies between the counted cash and bank deposits, similar incidents may have occurred prior to April 27. However, the lack of earlier CCTV footage hindered evaluation of their scope.

The SIT gathered testimonies from trust officials, bank personnel, security staff, and counting employees, in addition to bank records, seizure documents, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). The report indicated that mandated security protocols, such as frisking, biometric attendance, limitations on personal items, CCTV surveillance, and other protective measures outlined in the trust’s SOPs were not properly enforced. It concluded that these shortcomings fostered an environment conducive to theft and pilferage. Additionally, the SIT identified procedural flaws in the management of valuable donations, including irregularities in documentation, weighing, and sealing processes.

Based on CCTV footage, recovery records, financial documents and witness statements, the report said that Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, and Ramashankar Mishra had prima facie involvement in the matter. It said Mr. Shukla and Mr. Yadav were repeatedly seen removing or concealing cash, while the others were seen assisting or engaging in similar acts.

The SIT is likely to conduct a re-audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s accounts for the past five years after the initial findings suggested large-scale anomalies and irregularities. The re-audit is likely to cover construction-related expenditure as well as jewellery and other gold and silver items received as donations. The SIT team will also carry out a detailed scrutiny of the Trust’s financial records for the five-year period.

Eight accused, the six named above and Ram Shankar Yadav and Subhash Srivastava have been arrested in connection with the case and have been remanded in 14-day judicial custody since June 29. The case has been posted for next hearing on July 13. A court in Ayodhya approved one-day police custody of Mr. Pandey, Mr. Lavkush and Mr. Anukalp.

‘Deeper conspiracy’

Vibhuti Narain Rai, a former Director General-rank officer of Uttar Pradesh police, said CCTV record of a very limited period is the “tip of the iceberg”.

“If CCTV records between April 27 and June 5 are available, then the evidence is only a tip of the iceberg of a bigger organised corruption, as during the Maha Kumbh, the footfall of pilgrims was much higher and donation amount would have been very high. It might have been stolen by an organised racket,” said Mr. Rai, a retired 1975-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.