Police in Ayodhya are investigating a suspected ₹15 lakh money trail linked to a man named Avinash Shukla regarding stolen temple donations [1].

The investigation centers on whether funds intended for the Ram Mandir were misappropriated to purchase luxury gifts and other assets. Because the temple is a site of immense religious and political significance, any alleged theft of public donations risks triggering widespread social and political unrest.

Authorities are focusing on Avinash Shukla as a primary person of interest in the case [2]. Investigators have uncovered suspicious transactions amounting to ₹15 lakh [1]. Police said the probe is examining the source of the money used for gifts worth several lakhs to determine if they were funded by the stolen donations [2].

The case is being handled by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) as the political climate surrounding the incident intensifies [1]. Investigators are tracing the movement of funds through bank records and digital trails to establish a direct link between the missing temple funds and the expenditures made by Shukla [2].

While the investigation continues, police have not yet detailed the full extent of the missing funds beyond the identified transactions [1]. The probe remains focused on the specific financial activities of Shukla and his associates in Uttar Pradesh [2].

“Police in Ayodhya are investigating a suspected ₹15 lakh money trail”

This investigation highlights the vulnerability of large-scale religious fundraising to internal misappropriation. By focusing on a specific money trail of ₹15 lakh, police are attempting to move from general allegations of theft to concrete financial evidence. The involvement of a Special Investigation Team suggests that the government views the potential for political fallout as a high risk, necessitating a more rigorous forensic approach than a standard theft case.