LUCKNOW: The Ayodhya Police have widened their investigation into the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations after fresh disclosures by arrested accused Avinash Shukla purportedly revealed a sophisticated modus operandi in which stolen cash was allegedly concealed in washrooms within the temple complex before being smuggled out in small quantities to evade detection.The disclosures emerged during nearly two hours of custodial interrogation inside the district jail on Tuesday after police obtained permission from the designated court. Sources said investigators confronted Shukla with CCTV footage, witness statements and recovery records collected during the probe.According to police sources, Shukla allegedly told investigators that members of the suspected racket had carefully studied the layout of the donation-counting centre, including CCTV camera locations, entry and exit routes, and staff movement patterns. Cash allegedly siphoned off during the counting process was first hidden inside washrooms within the temple complex and later removed in small amounts over time to avoid raising suspicion.Investigators are now reconstructing the movement of cash within the premises and are likely to question sanitation and maintenance workers responsible for the washrooms to verify whether they observed any suspicious activities or concealed packets of money. Police said the allegations would be corroborated through CCTV analysis, forensic evidence and witness testimonies.The probe has also focused on alleged misuse of CCTV blind spots. According to sources, while one accused allegedly removed cash from counted donations, others positioned themselves around him to obstruct the cameras’ field of vision, effectively creating a human shield and concealing the alleged theft from surveillance.During interrogation, Shukla also allegedly disclosed that one of the two keys to the highly secured donation-counting room remained with co-accused Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, though he had no role in cash counting, while the second key was held by bank officials supervising the counting process. Police are preparing to question Tinnu, currently in judicial custody, to verify these claims and determine whether access to the key facilitated unauthorised entry into the counting room.The financial trail is now under intensive scrutiny. Investigators are examining allegations that part of the allegedly embezzled money was invested in land, hostels and residential properties. Property records, bank transactions and other financial documents are being analysed to determine whether the assets are disproportionate to the accused’s known sources of income.Police sources said recoveries from the arrested accused have so far totalled Rs 79.85 lakh in cash, besides 1,121 US dollars and gold, and silver jewellery.The largest recovery was allegedly made from Avinash Shukla, from whose possession police claim to have seized Rs 20.39 lakh, 1,121 US dollars, two gold chains, a gold ring, and a silver-coloured metal object. Other recoveries cited by investigators include: Karunesh Pandey (Rs 18.07 lakh), Anukalp Mishra (Rs 16.82 lakh), Lav Kush Mishra (14.25 lakh), Ramashankar Mishra (Rs 7.32 lakh), Manish Yadav (Rs 2 lakh) and Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu (Rs 1 lakh)No recovery was reported from the residence of Subhash Srivastava, police said.Searches have also been conducted at the residences of Lav Kush Mishra and Anukalp Mishra. So far, eight accused — Avinash Shukla, Ramshankar alias Tinnu Yadav, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Karunesh Pandey, Manish Yadav, Ramashankar Mishra and Subhash Srivastava — have been arrested in the case.Police said the investigation is continuing on multiple fronts, including custodial interrogation, forensic analysis, financial scrutiny and property verification, to establish the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.SIT probe deadline extended till July 15The UP government has extended till July 15 the deadline for the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged donation-related irregularities in Ayodhya. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved the SIT’s request for more time and directed it to submit its final report by the revised deadline. The SIT, constituted on June 13 following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, comprises Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, IG Lucknow Range Kiran S, and Finance Department Special Secretary Neelratan Kumar. Its preliminary report submitted on June 23 led to the registration of an FIR on June 25, after which all eight accused were arrested.Police search accused person’s village houseAyodhya Police on Wednesday conducted an extensive search operation at the residence of arrested accused Lav Kush Mishra in Thakuran Phagauli village under Rudauli Kotwali. A heavy police contingent searched the house and adjoining premises, including haystacks and piles of cow-dung cakes, looking for evidence, cash or valuables allegedly linked to the case.The operation drew large crowds of curious villagers who gathered to witness the proceedings.
