The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple is investigating whether gold ornaments stolen from the shrine were melted down and converted into gold biscuits to conceal their identity, sources told India Today TV.
Investigators suspect that the accused may have melted the stolen gold and silver jewellery to make it difficult to trace the original ornaments. The suspicion has strengthened after several search operations failed to recover the missing valuables allegedly linked to the theft.
As part of the probe, SIT officials visited the Ram Temple, offered prayers to Ram Lalla and questioned temple in-charge KD Babu regarding the inventory, storage and management of jewellery and other valuable offerings made by devotees.
The team has also sought records relating to ornaments and other precious donations, along with details of transactions carried out with the government-owned Printing and Minting Corporation of India (Mint). Officials have requested a complete account of precious metals sent to banks and the Mint and are closely examining the entire process.
According to sources, the investigation has further revealed that although the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust regularly reviewed cash donations and income during its quarterly meetings, detailed records concerning the quantity, valuation and stock of gold, silver and other valuable offerings were not routinely discussed.
In the first phase, the trust had sent 9.44 quintals (944 kg) of silver to the government-run Mint for testing and melting to assess the quality and quantity of precious metals received from devotees.
Former trust general secretary Champat Rai had earlier stated publicly that the temple had received nearly 13 quintals of silver and around 20 kg of gold as donations.
Ram Temple donation probe
The latest developments come days after sources said the SIT would conduct a fresh audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's accounts as part of its investigation into the alleged embezzlement of temple donations. The audit is expected to cover the past five years and examine construction expenditure, as well as gold, silver, jewellery and other valuables received as offerings.
The alleged embezzlement came to light on June 7, following which the Uttar Pradesh government constituted an SIT. Based on the team's preliminary findings, an FIR was registered on June 25. So far, eight people associated with the temple's donation-counting process have been arrested.
Earlier this week, Ayodhya Police questioned key accused Avinash Shukla after obtaining his custody. Shukla, who was involved in counting donations, had been arrested earlier in the investigation. According to police sources, the largest cash recovery made so far in the case was from his possession.
The SIT has also questioned former trust general secretary Champat Rai, former trustee Anil Mishra and temple official Gopal Rao, all of whom have figured prominently in the investigation. Rai and Mishra have submitted their resignations, and the trust is expected to take a decision on them during its meeting scheduled for July 6.
The case has also triggered a political controversy, with the Congress demanding a public accounting of temple donations collected before the formation of the trust and calling for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the alleged embezzlement.
The RSS has also responded to the controversy, saying the alleged theft has deeply hurt the faith of devotees and urging strict action against those found guilty.
