Wedding, Car, Cash Gift: Ram Temple Donation Accused Reveals Rs 19 Lakh Spent From Stolen Funds
Wedding, Car, Cash Gift: Ram Temple Donation Accused Reveals Rs 19 Lakh Spent From Stolen Funds Published By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 12:33 IST
Wedding, Car, Cash Gift: Ram Temple Donation Accused Reveals Rs 19 Lakh Spent From Stolen Funds Published By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 12:33 IST Ram Madir Donation Row: During custodial interrogation, Shukla reportedly revealed that he spent around Rs 19 lakh on family members and friends. A file photo of the Ayodhya-based Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Ram Mandir Donation Row: Fresh details have emerged in the investigation of alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, with police claiming that accused Avinash Shukla disclosed details of an additional spent of around Rs 19 lakh on family members and friends. During custodial interrogation, Shukla reportedly revealed that he spent around Rs 19 lakh on family members and friends, including Rs 6 lakh on the wedding celebrations of one of his brothers, gave Rs 5-6 lakh to another brother and purchased a car worth around Rs 3.5 lakh, India Today reported, citing sources.
Sources further said that Shukla also allegedly transferred about Rs 2.5 lakh to a friend and gifted the same person an expensive mobile phone. Smaller amounts were also allegedly distributed among several other individuals. Meanwhile, Ayodhya Police have recovered Rs 20.39 lakh in cash, 1,121 US dollars, gold jewellery, silver ornaments, other valuables and a car from Shukla’s possession. According to police sources, the vehicle, a Maruti Brezza, bearing registration number UP42AP6054, was bought with the stolen money but registered in the name of Shukla’s brother, Abhishek. The SUV has now been seized as part of the ongoing investigation. The recovery was made after Shukla, who was taken into police custody on a 24-hour remand, was questioned for nearly 13 hours. Investigators said the sustained interrogation yielded several crucial leads in the case. During the remand period, police took Shukla to multiple locations, including a yoga centre in Kaushalpuri and the 14-Kosi Parikrama Marg, where he allegedly identified spots where the stolen donation money was divided among the accused.
Investigators are now examining whether other assets were also purchased using the misappropriated funds as they continue to trace the money trail. The case centres on allegations that cash and valuables donated to the temple may have been misappropriated. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues its probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple. The Uttar Pradesh government recently granted the SIT a 15-day extension to widen the scope of its investigation on July 1. On July 3, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple arrived at the temple premises to carry out further investigation in the case. Eight people associated with the temple’s donation collection and counting process have been arrested so far, while the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of devotees’ contributions is continuing. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news.
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