SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet in Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft Case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has filed a comprehensive chargesheet against eight arrested accused in a local court. The massive chargesheet, which runs to approximately 74,000 pages, includes supporting documents, annexures, exhibits, and other evidence gathered during the investigation.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Ayodhya) Gaurav Grover confirmed the development, stating that the chargesheet has been accepted by the court. The charges have been filed under various legal provisions, including criminal breach of trust and the Prevention of Corruption Act. All eight accused are currently in judicial custody.
Details of the Investigation and Recoveries
The eight accused named in the chargesheet are Avinash Shukla, Lavkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav, and Subhash Srivastav. Most of the arrested individuals were directly involved in counting cash donations at the temple. Subhash Srivastava was in charge of the donation-counting process, while Tinnu Yadav worked as a driver and was a close associate of Champat Rai.
During the investigation, police recovered Rs 79.8 lakh from seven of the eight arrested men. According to sources, no cash or valuables were recovered from Subhash Srivastav. The probe was initiated following an FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh Police on June 25, two days after the SIT submitted its preliminary findings to the government. The complaint was filed by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
CCTV Evidence and Status Report
On Monday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted the SIT's status report to the Supreme Court. The report revealed that CCTV cameras installed on the Ram temple premises captured 105 instances of theft. The status report also detailed the arrests made in connection with the thefts and the evidence compiled against the accused individuals.
Following the filing of the chargesheet, a large number of lawyers gathered at the Ayodhya court. Ayodhya Bar Association president Kalika Prasad Mishra stated that lawyers had previously submitted an application to the police seeking an inquiry into the roles of former office bearers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, including Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao. Champat Rai has since resigned from his post as general secretary of the Trust, while Anil Mishra was a member, and Gopal Rao was often invited to Trust meetings as a special invitee.
Bail Hearings Deferred
The local court has deferred the bail hearings for the remaining two accused, Subhash Srivastava and Ramashankar alias Tinnu Yadav, to Thursday. Advocate Kul Shekhar Singh stated that the hearing was postponed after the local bar association raised objections following the submission of the chargesheet.
Bail applications for the other six accused have already been rejected by a special court. The court rejected the bail pleas of Avinash Shukla, Manish Kumar Yadav, and Ram Shankar Mishra on Monday, followed by the rejection of applications for Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, and Karunesh Pandey on Tuesday.
