Ram Temple Donation Case: Eight Accused To Appear In Ayodhya Court Via Video Link

Eight accused arrested in the alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement case will appear before an Ayodhya court through video conferencing on Monday.

Police will not seek custody immediately. They will seek custody after preparing detailed questions for interrogation.

Investigators issued notices to nearly six banks, including SBI, Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank. They sought details of bank accounts linked to the accused, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and other individuals under investigation. They also sought information about their lockers.

Officials said investigators have placed 70 to 80 people under scrutiny. They are issuing notices in phases before recording their statements.

Police will also send the accused persons’ mobile phones to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) after suspecting they deleted crucial chats.

Experts will attempt to retrieve the erased data.

Earlier, investigators visited the SBI branch at Naya Ghat, where the Trust maintains its primary account.

Police are examining the possible role of bank officials and are expected to question the branch manager.

Two SBI employees, Ratnesh and Gagandeep, remain under investigation. They supervised six outsourced workers who counted donations and transported cash.

Police have arrested all six outsourced workers. Except for Subhash and Tinnu, every arrested individual belonged to the outsourced donation-counting staff.

SBI recommended their removal nearly three months ago after detecting suspected irregularities. Some Trust officials reportedly opposed the decision.

Police have already recorded the statement of former Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and may soon issue notices to former trustee Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao.

Investigators continue efforts to recover stolen assets from temple donation boxes.

The Supreme Court declined to grant an urgent hearing on the PIL seeking a court-monitored probe and a forensic audit of the Trust’s donations.

Police also recovered jewellery and documents from one of the accused’s residences during searches.

Authorities registered the FIR after a preliminary SIT report highlighted multiple irregularities.

Also Read: NHRC Takes Cognisance Of Lucknow Coaching Centre Fire; Seeks Action Report