LUCKNOW: The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has intensified, with police tracing an SUV allegedly used to transport misappropriated cash from the temple premises.
According to investigators, the vehicle is linked to one of the accused, former donation counting section employee Avinash Shukla. Police are examining the SUV’s ownership records, movement history, GPS data, CCTV footage and other forensic evidence to reconstruct the alleged movement of the stolen money.
The development comes as Ayodhya police continue to interrogate Shukla, who was granted 24-hour police custody by a local court on Friday. Investigators had sought 48 hours of custodial remand, arguing that additional time was required to recover the allegedly stolen property and piece together the sequence of events.
After being brought from the district jail on Friday morning, Shukla underwent a mandatory medical examination at the district hospital in the Police Lines before being questioned.
A police team led by investigating officer Ashutosh Tripathi, along with personnel from the Special Operations Group (SOG), later took Shukla to a rented accommodation at Shyam Sadhanalaya Yoga Kendra in Kaushalpuri, where he had allegedly been staying.
Investigators searched the room, examining documents, electronic devices and other materials that could provide evidence related to the alleged diversion of temple donations. They also looked for clues that could lead to hidden cash or other valuables.
Police had also planned to take Shukla to his native village in Pratapgarh as part of the investigation, but the visit did not take place.
According to sources, investigators suspect that, in addition to the ₹20 lakh in cash and 1,000 US dollars recovered earlier from Shukla’s possession, he may have concealed more cash as well as gold and silver ornaments donated by devotees at multiple locations.
Police believe the recoveries made so far represent only a portion of the allegedly misappropriated donations.
The ongoing interrogation is focused on identifying possible stash locations, tracing the movement of funds, recovering the missing valuables and determining the involvement of other accused in the alleged embezzlement.
Investigators have also identified an SUV that was allegedly used to transport the stolen cash from Ayodhya to multiple locations. Police believe digital and forensic evidence linked to the vehicle will play a key role in establishing the movement of the funds.
Officials said that based on information obtained during Shukla’s interrogation, another accused is likely to be taken into police custody for questioning.
