Ram Mandir Probe: 'Ramrajya Kosh' Donation Box With QR Code Recovered From Accused's Home

Published 1 July 2026 · india

Ram Mandir Probe: 'Ramrajya Kosh' Donation Box With QR Code Recovered From Accused's Home Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 13:59 IST

Ram Mandir Probe: 'Ramrajya Kosh' Donation Box With QR Code Recovered From Accused's Home Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 13:59 IST Officials believe the chest may help reconstruct the alleged diversion of devotees' donations and provide crucial leads into the modus operandi adopted by the accused. Rapid Read Ramrajya Kosh chest recovered from Avinash Shukla's house. (Image: PTI) Ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya got a new twist on Wednesday after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) recovered a donation chest bearing the inscription “Ramrajya Kosh" from the residence of one of the key accused, Avinash Shukla. The wooden chest, which also had a QR code pasted on it for digital contributions, is now being treated as an important piece of evidence as investigators attempt to establish whether temple donation collection systems were misused outside the shrine premises. According to investigators, the recovery was made during an extensive search operation at Shukla’s residence. Officials believe the chest may help reconstruct the alleged diversion of devotees’ donations and provide crucial leads into the modus operandi adopted by the accused. Forensic experts are expected to examine the QR code and trace linked bank accounts and digital transactions to determine whether contributions meant for the temple were redirected elsewhere.

The development comes a day after a local court granted the SIT an additional 15 days to continue its probe into the high-profile case. The extension gives investigators more time to analyse recovered material, interrogate the accused, verify financial records and complete forensic examination of electronic devices seized during the raids. VIDEO | Uttar Pradesh: Ayodhya Police is investigating an alleged donation embezzlement case linked to the Ram Temple, with serious allegations against Avinash Shukla. Police reportedly recovered over Rs 20 lakh in cash during a raid on his rented house on June 5.Volunteer… pic.twitter.com/Pnh2ov6Qm7 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 1, 2026 Investigators are examining whether the recovered donation chest was used independently or formed part of a larger network allegedly created to siphon off offerings made in the name of Lord Ram. Officials are also trying to ascertain who arranged the QR code, when it became operational and how much money may have been collected through it. The latest recovery follows a series of coordinated raids conducted at the residences of all eight accused arrested in connection with the alleged donation embezzlement. During the searches, police teams, accompanied by local magistrates, seized documents, electronic gadgets and other materials believed to be relevant to the investigation. Earlier searches had also reportedly led to the recovery of cash from the residence of Avinash Shukla, while CCTV footage purportedly showed him carrying a bag during police action before the case became public.