Champat Rai's Driver, Retired Banker & More: The 8 Arrested In Ram Mandir Donation Theft Case

Published 26 June 2026 · india

Champat Rai's Driver, Retired Banker & More: The 8 Arrested In Ram Mandir Donation Theft Case Published By, Last Updated: June 26, 2026, 12:08 IST

Champat Rai's Driver, Retired Banker & More: The 8 Arrested In Ram Mandir Donation Theft Case Published By, Last Updated: June 26, 2026, 12:08 IST According to the investigation, all eight were directly associated with the collection, handling or counting of cash donations received at the temple Rapid Read The controversy surfaced after allegations emerged that cash offerings made by devotees at the Ram Mandir were being siphoned off before being deposited into the temple's official accounts. (PTI) The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has gathered pace with the arrest of all eight accused named in the FIR. Those arrested include the temple trust’s cash-counting staff, the head of the counting operation, a retired banker who supervised the process, and Ram Mandir Trust General Secretary Champat Rai’s driver and close associate, Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu. The FIR was lodged after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government, prompting the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to initiate criminal proceedings. The accused have been booked under charges including theft, criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal conspiracy. UP Police arrest all eight accused in Ram Temple donation 'fraud' case; SIT finds irregularities in donations and offerings made to temple; FIR cites multiple sections under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Here's all you need to know News18's @AnvitSrivastava brings latest updates… pic.twitter.com/RrUrn0MU5t — News18 (@CNNnews18) June 26, 2026 Who Are The Eight Accused?

According to the FIR, the eight arrested are 1. Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu: An associate and driver of Ram Mandir Trust General Secretary Champat Rai. Investigators allege he played a central role in the alleged diversion of donation funds 2. Anukalp Mishra: Head of the cash-counting operation 3. Subhash Srivastava: Cash counting in-charge and a retired bank employee responsible for supervising the counting process 4. Avinash Shukla: Cash counting staff 5. Karunesh Pandey: Cash counting staff 6. Manish Yadav: Cash counting staff 7. Lavkush Mishra: Cash counting staff 8. Rama Shankar Mishra: Cash counting staff According to the investigation, all eight were directly associated with the collection, handling or counting of cash donations received at the temple. What Is The Case About? The controversy surfaced after allegations emerged that cash offerings made by devotees at the Ram Mandir were being siphoned off before being deposited into the temple’s official accounts. Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted an SIT to probe the matter. The team’s preliminary report reportedly pointed to serious procedural lapses in the handling and counting of donations, following which the Trust lodged an FIR with the Ayodhya police. Earlier, the SIT had questioned several individuals linked to the cash-counting process, including Trust member Dr Anil Mishra, as part of its investigation into the appointment of personnel and the procedures followed for counting offerings.