Lavkush Mishra, one of the individuals arrested in connection with the alleged misappropriation of donation funds from Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir, is under scrutiny after investigators uncovered details of a plot purchase and the construction of a house reportedly worth several lakhs. The findings have emerged as authorities examine his financial dealings and asset accumulation, which appear disproportionate to his role in the temple’s cash-counting department.
Documents reviewed by India Today indicate that the property was purchased in the name of Mishra’s wife, Supriya Mishra, after he joined the Ram Mandir establishment approximately a year ago.
The plot is situated in the Sahadatganj-Banbirpur area near the Ayodhya-Lucknow Highway and was registered at a declared value of Rs 8.8 lakh. However, the current estimated market value of the land along with the under-construction building is believed to be around Rs 25 lakh.
A two-storey residence is being constructed on the roughly 1,000-square-foot property. Most of the structural work has been completed, and electrical installations were also reportedly in progress.
Residents of the locality told India Today that construction began in February last year. They said Mishra and his family frequently visited the site during the early stages and were present for a bhoomi pujan ceremony conducted before the construction work commenced.
A neighbour, Rajkumar Pandey, identified the property as belonging to Mishra’s family and said the accused used to visit the site regularly.
“This house belongs to Lavkush Mishra. Construction began around February last year, and we would occasionally see him here,” Pandey said.
Locals stated that labourers were working on the property until recently. However, construction activity reportedly came to a sudden halt after news of the Ram Mandir donation theft case and Mishra’s arrest became public.
“The workers were present until a few days ago. Since Sunday, neither labourers nor family members have been seen at the site,” a resident said.
The revelations have sparked discussion in the area, particularly because Mishra was reportedly earning between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000 per month while employed by the Ram Mandir Trust.
Neighbours described the family as modest in lifestyle, noting that they typically travelled by motorcycle and did not appear to possess significant wealth.
“Nothing about their lifestyle suggested they had access to such resources. How they managed to build a house like this is something only they can answer,” one resident remarked.
Mishra, 27, worked as part of the team responsible for counting cash offerings and donations. Police have arrested him and several others in the case. During a recent raid, investigators reportedly recovered around Rs 12 lakh in cash from his residence.
The alleged donation embezzlement at the Ram Mandir came to light recently, with accusations that at least Rs 7 crore in cash and jewellery donated by devotees may have been misappropriated, though some estimates suggest the amount could be considerably higher.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the matter. So far, eight people have been arrested and nearly Rs 80 lakh in cash has reportedly been recovered. The controversy has also led to the resignation of several senior figures associated with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, including former General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra.
