Exclusive: Rules Flouted, Bank Also Involved

A major revelation has come in the Ram Mandir donation theft case. According to exclusive information accessed by Aaj Tak, the SIT’s preliminary report has found that the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) signed between Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and State Bank of India (SBI) for counting and managing donations was not followed.

The SOP was prepared after meetings in September 2024 and February 2025 but was allegedly ignored later. Accused Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu had keys of the donation boxes without proper authorisation.

Serious lapses were found in cash handling and management inside the counting room. Following the report, Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Anil Mishra have resigned on moral grounds.

FIR has already been registered on SIT’s recommendation and all eight named accused have been arrested.