Ayodhya, 28

June (H.S.): On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Police conducted simultaneous searches on

ten places in Ayodhya as part of their investigation into the suspected Ram

Temple contribution misappropriation case. According to reports, the families

of all eight suspects are being questioned as the investigation proceeds.

Police are also looking for papers and records related to the families. Raids

are taking place at the ancestral houses of accused Anukalp Mishra and Lavkush

Mishra in the Milkipur rural region. Investigators are also interviewing

Ramashankar Mishra's family members at his house. According to sources, police

have retrieved several vital papers from Ramashankar Mishra's residence. The

inquiry is underway. The alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement scandal

emerged on June 7 when Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan 'Pawan' Pandey stated

donations of between Rs 5 crore and Rs 7.5 crore have been taken from temple

offerings.

On June 13,

in response to a request from the temple trust, the Uttar Pradesh government

formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT conducted a preliminary

probe in Ayodhya from June 15 to June 20, revealing inconsistencies in the

processing of cash and valuables offered by pilgrims. Based on the results, a

FIR was filed against eight named suspects and numerous anonymous individuals

under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention

of Corruption Act.

Based on the

results, a FIR was filed against eight named suspects and numerous unnamed

people under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the

Prevention of Corruption Act. Avinash

Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, Ramashankar Mishra,

Manish Yadav, and Karunesh Pandey are among those detained, including Rai's

close aide, Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu. Anukalp Mishra and Lavkush Mishra

are linked to each other and to Anil Mishra.

As part of

the inquiry, police teams arrived at the accused's houses at 7 a.m. and conducted

comprehensive searches while interviewing their relatives. According to

authorities, six police teams simultaneously conducted raids at several sites

connected to the accused.

All eight

suspects are now in judicial detention. Investigators are also looking into if

more persons were involved in the alleged plot and gathering further evidence

to support their case. Meanwhile, the temple trust attempted to reassure

pilgrims by claiming that it was dedicated to conducting a fair and thorough

inquiry. The recent incidents have left us shocked, hurt, and deeply saddened.

We promise everyone that we will take steps to avoid similar tragic situations

in the future, it stated.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi