Lucknow/Ayodhya: Hidden cameras covertly installed inside the Ram Temple’s donation counting room and the scrutiny of CCTV footage played a pivotal role in unearthing the alleged embezzlement of offerings and identifying the eight accused who have been arrested in the case, sources familiar with the investigation said.According to sources, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had discreetly installed hidden surveillance cameras inside the cash-counting room after suspicions emerged that donations were being siphoned off during the counting process.While visible CCTV cameras were in place, investigators found that some members of the counting staff had devised ways to exploit the blind spots of surveillance.During investigation, the SIT is learnt to have found footage showing members of cash-counting team deliberately positioning themselves in front of visible CCTV cameras, allegedly obstructing the cameras field of vision while handling currency bundles.The hidden cameras, however, continued recording uninterrupted, enabling investigators to capture movements leading to theft.Sources said the footage became one of the most crucial pieces of electronic evidence relied upon by the SIT in corroborating witness statements, financial records and other documentary evidence.Investigators reportedly found repeated instances suggesting that cash was diverted during the counting process.Police sources said the SIT investigation also revealed that some members of the counting staff inserted extra currency notes into bundles and later shared the excess cash.
