Ram Mandir donation scam: Champat Rai points finger at his own driver

Rai allegedly told a close aide that Tinnu Yadav, one of the eight people arrested in the case, was the mastermind behind the alleged embezzlement.

The former Trust general secretary also claimed that Yadav leaked information about the case to a Samajwadi Party leader when he realised he was about to be caught.

Most thefts took place during Kumbh Mela

According to the police probe, the majority of the stolen donations were siphoned off during the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, when the temple witnessed an unprecedented surge in offerings from devotees.

The accused allegedly exploited the heavy rush and the increase in cash donations to carry out the theft over a prolonged period.

Several accused had a history of petty theft

Police said six of the eight arrested had been involved in petty theft even before the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Investigators believe the group later conspired to carry out a much larger operation after identifying the opportunity presented by the huge volume of donations at the temple.

Brother duo allegedly stole the largest share

The investigation has identified brothers Lavkush Mishra and Anukalp Mishra as the principal beneficiaries of the alleged theft.

According to the police, the duo siphoned off the largest share of the stolen money and allegedly used part of the proceeds to purchase properties.

Investigation underway

Police said all eight accused were part of the alleged conspiracy.

Eight named in FIR

Those named in the FIR are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, according to an NDTV report.

Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav, is the former driver of the Trust's General Secretary, Champat Rai.

According to police, the accused were involved in counting cash donations and valuables offered by devotees at the temple.

They have been arrested, and further interrogation is underway.

Trust general secretary Champat Rai resigns

After the scandal broke out, Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resigned as the general secretary and Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member respectively.