Ram Temple theft accused spent funds on brother’s wedding, SUV, cash gifts: Sources

Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS

The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple has uncovered fresh financial leads, with police claiming that accused Avinash Shukla disclosed details of an additional expenditure of around Rs 19 lakh on family members and friends during custodial interrogation, according to sources.

Investigators alleged that Shukla spent nearly Rs 6 lakh on the wedding celebrations of one of his brothers and handed Rs 5-6 lakh to another brother. Police also found that he purchased a car worth around Rs 3.5 lakh.

According to sources, Shukla allegedly transferred about Rs 2.5 lakh to a friend and gifted the same person an expensive mobile phone. Investigators further claimed that smaller amounts were distributed among several other individuals.

Earlier, police recovered Rs 20.39 lakh in cash, 1,121 US dollars, gold jewellery, silver ornaments, other valuables and an SUV from Shukla’s possession.

Investigators alleged that the recovered Maruti Brezza SUV was purchased using money siphoned from temple donations and registered in the name of Shukla’s brother, Abhishek, in an attempt to conceal its ownership.

The recoveries were made during Shukla’s 24-hour police remand after an Ayodhya court granted custody to the police for further interrogation. During the remand, investigators took the accused to multiple locations to reconstruct the alleged conspiracy and verify evidence linked to the case.

The alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations first came to light on June 7, triggering a political storm. An FIR was registered on June 25 based on a preliminary report submitted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The Uttar Pradesh government constituted the SIT on June 13 following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to probe the alleged financial irregularities.

So far, eight persons associated with the temple’s donation collection and counting process have been arrested, while the investigation is continuing.

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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA