Lucknow: The investigation into the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple has uncovered new details, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) examining the background of one of the key accused and the process through which he was entrusted with handling temple funds.
According to officials familiar with the investigation, Subhash Srivastava, who served as the in-charge of counting cash offerings and has been arrested in the case, had previously faced allegations of embezzlement during his banking career. Investigators found that while employed at Syndicate Bank, he was subjected to departmental action over alleged financial irregularities and was dismissed from service. He was later reinstated following a court order before eventually retiring.
The findings have raised questions about how Srivastava was appointed to a sensitive role at the Ram Temple without what investigators describe as thorough background verification. The SIT is now scrutinising the recruitment process to determine whether prescribed verification procedures were followed before assigning him responsibility for counting devotees’ cash offerings.
So far, eight individuals have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody in connection with the alleged donation theft. Investigators say Srivastava was responsible for overseeing the counting of donations and coordinating the transfer of cash to the bank. The SIT is probing whether alleged collusion among those involved enabled irregularities in the handling of temple funds.
Sources associated with the investigation said the SIT has expanded its inquiry to include the appointment of temple staff and the administrative procedures followed during recruitment. Officials are examining the circumstances under which employees were selected and whether due diligence was carried out before assigning them financial responsibilities.
The investigation is also looking into Srivastava’s alleged links with certain functionaries associated with the temple trust. According to sources, after his retirement from banking service, he was assigned responsibilities at the temple without an extensive verification process. He reportedly presented himself as a volunteer working in a spirit of service and claimed that he did not draw a salary.
Investigators are further examining allegations that, with the approval of another functionary identified as “Tinnu” in the investigation, Srivastava played a key role in deciding which employees would be assigned to the donation-counting process.
The SIT has not yet announced any conclusions regarding the appointment process, and the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of temple donations remains ongoing. Authorities are expected to determine whether any additional administrative lapses or criminal liability emerge as the probe progresses.
