The sanctity of the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has been shaken by a major donation theft scandal that is now being peeled back layer by layer by law enforcement. As investigations deepen into the misappropriation of crores in offerings, the elaborate and corrupt methods employed by primary suspects Anukalp Mishra and Avinash Shukla have shocked even senior police officials. The case has reached a critical stage where it appears the stolen funds were not only used to shower lavish gifts on associates but were also funneled through a network of jewelers to obscure the origin of the temple's gold. With eight individuals arrested so far, the revelation has caused a stir just ahead of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s scheduled visit to Ayodhya on July 10.
The 'Anukalp Formula' for Money Laundering
Under custodial interrogation, prime suspect Anukalp Mishra admitted to orchestrating a calculated scheme to dispose of the black money stolen from the temple vaults. Mishra funneled large amounts of stolen cash to relatives and close associates, who would then deposit the funds into their bank accounts and transfer them online back to his own accounts. This sophisticated technique allowed him to systematically convert the illegal loot into white money. Furthermore, investigators have recorded statements from vendors, including tent and catering suppliers, who worked at religious events hosted at Mishra’s home. Evidence indicates that the expenses for these ceremonies were paid directly from the proceeds of the theft. Police are currently planning to take Mishra to his ancestral home to recover further evidence related to the misappropriation.
Lavish Spending on a Friend and a Brother's Confession
According to reports, the bank accounts of the second primary accused, Avinash Shukla, revealed suspicious transactions totaling over 15 lakh rupees. Police sources indicate that Shukla was leading an extravagant lifestyle fueled by the stolen donations. He allegedly gifted an expensive smartphone and approximately 2 lakh rupees in cash to a female friend. Authorities have issued a notice to the woman and are preparing to question her. Meanwhile, Shukla’s own brother, Abhishek, has provided a bombshell testimony. Abhishek witnessed Avinash carrying a bag full of notes into a yoga center. When questioned, Anukalp Mishra intervened, intimidating Abhishek by claiming the money was a gift from devotees in exchange for help with temple visits, while simultaneously threatening him to stay silent.
Jeweler Under Custody
The scope of the investigation by the Ayodhya Police and the SIT has expanded beyond the initial suspects to include illegal bullion traders. A prominent local jeweler from the Inayat Nagar region has been taken into custody. Investigators allege that this individual was tasked with melting down gold stolen from the Ram Mandir offerings to blend it into the open market. The police are now working to determine exactly how many kilograms of gold were processed by this jeweler. The authorities are currently auditing the government and trust records—including 70 kg of silver, 1,250 kg of gold, 200 crore rupees in cash, and various precious items—to ascertain the true extent of the losses.
Interrogations in Jail
The police have secured court approval to conduct face-to-face interrogations of five suspects currently in judicial custody: Anukalp Mishra, Lavukush Mishra, Ram Shankar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, and Manish Yadav. These sessions will be held within the jail premises to confront the suspects with each other's statements and close gaps in the investigation. Additionally, police summoned the family members of all these suspects on Sunday to record their statements, aiming to clarify the origins of the funds found in their respective bank accounts.
