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The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of offerings and donations at the grand Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya has taken a surprising turn. Authorities have uncovered a 'Varanasi connection' that expands the scope of the inquiry beyond a mere theft. Investigators are now delving into serious lapses in the temple's donation management, outsourcing systems, banking procedures, and the recruitment of security personnel.

According to sources, six of the eight arrested suspects were employed by a private security firm based in Varanasi, known as Soldier Security Services Private Limited.

Role of Outsourced Employees in Donation Management

Sources indicate that the agency provided staff to the New Ghat branch of the State Bank of India in Ayodhya. The bank had reportedly requested 19 employees to assist with cash counting. The Varanasi-based agency recruited these individuals and assigned them the responsibility of counting and managing the donations received at the Ram Temple. Investigators suspect that these employees were closely associated with the two main accused, Anil Mishra and Tinnu Yadav.

Housekeeping Staff Assigned Cash Handling Duties

The investigation revealed that all 19 recruited employees were handed over to the SBI team for deployment. Subsequently, they were tasked with counting donations and managing the temple's cash collection. Allegedly, each employee received a monthly salary of around ₹20,000. However, it was discovered that they were originally hired for housekeeping roles, yet were later entrusted with the sensitive responsibility of handling cash donations.

Recruitment Process Under Scrutiny

According to sources, daily donations at the temple were deposited at the Tulsi Nagar branch of SBI in Ayodhya. The bank had engaged the outsourcing agency to provide staff for counting, sorting, and securely transporting cash. Investigators are now examining whether the recruitment process was conducted transparently and if the responsibilities assigned to outsourced employees were appropriate. There are claims that some appointments may have been made based on recommendations rather than a transparent selection process.

Security Agency Denies Direct Involvement

Gaurav Singh, the owner of Soldier Security Services, has denied any direct connection between his company and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. He stated that the agency's contract was solely with the State Bank of India. Singh asserted that the employees were hired only for housekeeping tasks and that the agency was unaware of their assignments within the temple premises.

Audit Report Raises Red Flags

The investigation also revealed that the temple trust had identified discrepancies in donation collection as early as January this year. During a regular monthly audit, a chartered accountant noted a sudden drop in donations despite a consistent number of visitors. The audit also found discrepancies between vouchers and receipts.

Missing Financial Records Prompted Recommendations

The report indicated that there was no proper accounting for expenses exceeding ₹5 lakh. In light of these findings, the trust reportedly advised General Secretary Champat Rai through a letter and WhatsApp message to implement several corrective measures.

Proposed Measures Stalled

Sources claim that after receiving this information, Champat Rai expressed dissatisfaction, leading to a halt in the proposed reforms and appointments. Consequently, no significant corrective actions were taken between January and May, while the decline in donations persisted.

Spy Camera Reveals Alleged Theft

Following a further decline in donations in May, officials discreetly installed a spy camera inside the collection center. According to sources, only a few officials were aware of this surveillance. The 24-hour footage allegedly captured some employees pocketing notes during the counting process. These recordings ultimately led to the discovery of the alleged theft that occurred between June 6 and 7, prompting the investigation.

Investigation Expands Beyond Theft

Investigative agencies are no longer viewing this case merely as a theft incident. The inquiry has broadened to scrutinize the entire donation management system at the temple, including aspects such as:

1. Recruitment of outsourced employees.

2. Verification processes for employees.

3. Outsourcing arrangements.

4. Cash handling regulations.

5. Terms of the agreement between SBI and the outsourcing agency.

Agency Remains Tight-Lipped

Citing the ongoing investigation, Soldier Security Services has declined to comment on the terms of its contract with SBI. The agency has also not disclosed the criteria used for recruiting the deployed staff. Police and investigative agencies are conducting a thorough examination to determine if there were additional flaws in the system and whether any other individuals or organizations bear responsibility.