Lucknow: Investigators probing the alleged embezzlement of donation at the Ram Temple are focusing on whether two of the eight arrested accused — Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav and Anukalp Mishra — were the principal conspirators behind the theft.While police have not officially identified either of the two as the mastermind, officers privy with the investigation said both have emerged as key figures.Police are probing whether Tinnu and Anukalp played pivotal role in planning and executing the alleged embezzlement as they were considered close to senior functionaries associated with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and enjoyed significant operational access to the temple’s donation management system.Their position enabled them to exploit procedural loopholes in the counting and handling of donations, a police officer said.Police are looking into the specific role of Tinnu Yadav, who allegedly had access to the keys of the temple’s donation boxes. Sources claimed he had recently facilitated the induction of his nephew, Manish Yadav, into the donation-counting team.“Inclusion of close relatives in the counting process helped create a coordinated network through which portions of the siphoned-off money could be diverted and shared,” the officer said, adding that inclusion of relatives also reduced the risk of detection.Investigation is also centred around Anukalp Mishra, who was part of the outsourced cash-counting team. Police are examining allegations that he influenced the deployment of his brother-in-law, Lavkush Mishra, to the counting unit.Investigators believe other accused gradually became involved in embezzlement after joining the donation-counting operations.According to police, newly inducted personnel allegedly learnt the methods of diverting cash over time and began participating whenever they found an opportunity during counting, sorting and sealing operations.Investigators are examining CCTV footage, duty rosters and financial records to verify these claims.
