Ayodhya donation case: Police seek custody of Avinash Shukla after ₹20.4 lakh recovery, SBI officials under scanner
Ayodhya Donation Case: Police Seek Custody as ₹20.4 Lakh Recovered, SBI Under Scrutiny
Ayodhya donation case - The Ayodhya donation case has taken a significant turn as the police requested custody of Avinash Shukla, a key figure in the controversy surrounding the alleged misappropriation of funds linked to the Ram Temple dispute. The move comes after authorities successfully recovered ₹20.4 lakh from Shukla’s properties, marking a major breakthrough in the probe. The case, which has drawn national attention, now involves deeper scrutiny of SBI employees and security firm staff, raising questions about their role in the financial irregularities.
Expanded Probe into SBI and Security Personnel
Following Shukla’s testimony, investigators uncovered potential collusion between the accused and trust officials. This revelation has prompted the police to intensify their focus on the State Bank of India (SBI), which was entrusted with overseeing the cash collection process at the temple. Two SBI Grade 3 employees, who regularly monitored the operations, are now under close examination. Their involvement is being investigated for possible facilitation of the alleged embezzlement.
“Without the complicity of SBI staff, it would have been difficult to siphon off donations worth millions,” said a senior police official.
Additionally, employees of the Varanasi-based Sainik Security Services, the company contracted to manage the temple’s cash-handling operations, are also facing scrutiny. The probe team has identified six of the eight detainees as affiliated with this security firm, suggesting a possible network of individuals working in tandem to misappropriate funds. The legal team representing the temple trust is actively reviewing the evidence to build a stronger case against the accused.
Details of the Recovered Funds and Financial Analysis
Earlier this week, the police recovered a total of ₹79,85,493 from the eight arrested suspects, with Shukla’s properties yielding the largest portion—₹20.4 lakh. This amount, combined with ₹12 lakh seized from his residence, represents a substantial portion of the alleged stolen donations. Shukla’s brother reportedly returned ₹8.4 lakh to the trust, indicating some level of cooperation or pressure from the authorities.
“The discovery of foreign currency, including $900 to $1,000 in Shukla’s possession, strengthens the case against him,” added an unnamed source.
As part of the ongoing investigation, police have compiled comprehensive financial records for all accused individuals, including SBI staff and security personnel. These records are being cross-referenced with Aadhaar and PAN data by the income tax and revenue departments to trace the flow of funds. The probe aims to uncover whether donations were diverted for personal gain or used for other undisclosed purposes.
Authorities have also begun analyzing transaction patterns, with a particular emphasis on the period when discrepancies were first reported. This includes examining bank statements, cash-handling logs, and communication between the temple management and the accused. The findings could provide critical evidence in determining the scale of the alleged financial misconduct.
Legal and Administrative Challenges
Shukla, currently detained in Ayodhya jail, was interviewed by the Additional District Judge (Anti-Corruption) Rajat Varma via video conferencing. The judge raised concerns about Shukla’s lack of legal representation, as the Faizabad bar association has yet to assign a counsel to him. This absence of legal support could impact his ability to defend himself in court, adding to the scrutiny of the case.
The Ayodhya donation case initially gained momentum on June 7 when Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan 'Pawan' Pandey accused the temple of siphoning donations between ₹5 crore and ₹7.5 crore. In response, the state government established a special investigation team on June 13, under the temple trust’s request, to address the allegations. The team’s work has since revealed multiple layers of financial activity, including the involvement of external entities.
With the court set to review the police custody remand request on Thursday, the Ayodhya donation case remains a focal point for both legal and administrative bodies. The recovery of substantial funds and the identification of key individuals have brought the investigation to a critical stage, with potential implications for the temple trust and its management.