Ayodhya donation scam: ED, CBI to conduct probe

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) may investigate whether money laundering was involved in the alleged donation scam at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. There are also suspicions that the scale of the alleged fraud may have spread to other states and foreign countries. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) may also register a case in connection with the matter.

Meanwhile, the Income Tax Department has launched an inquiry based on the assessment that the eight arrested accused had acquired assets worth crores of rupees. The properties of the accused may be seized. The Ayodhya Police have requested an ED probe, and the Uttar Pradesh government has communicated with the central government regarding the matter.

The Uttar Pradesh government has granted 15 more days to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to complete the probe into the alleged donation scam. Searches were conducted again at the houses of the accused following the questioning of the suspects at the Faizabad jail.

Around 400 employees of the private agency responsible for the temple’s security are under surveillance. Radio Operation Officer Arjun Dev, who was leading the team monitoring more than 1,600 CCTV cameras at the temple, has been removed from his position.

Donation boxes found at yoga centre
Police recovered four donation boxes believed to be from the Ram Temple from a yoga centre in Kaushalpuri. The boxes had QR codes and carried the words “Ramrajya Kosh” (Ramrajya Fund). The boxes were opened and examined. The cash inside had been wrapped in blankets, and around Rs 38 lakh was found. According to police, the yoga centre is linked to an establishment associated with Abhishek Shukla, the brother of arrested accused Avinash Shukla.