Lucknow: Two days after arresting eight people on allegations of theft, misappropriation of cash, and embezzlement of funds and valuables donated for the Ram temple, the Ayodhya police searched the houses of all the accused on Sunday.The accused are currently in judicial custody.“Searches were carried out as part of the investigation to gather evidence,” a senior police officer said.The coordinated searches began around 7am, with eight police teams fanning out across different locations in the district. Revenue officials, including lekhpals, accompanied the teams to assist in verifying property records and assets acquired by the accused.The searches continued for nearly eight hours, ending around 3pm. The accused will be produced before the court on Monday.Police found documents relating to movable and immovable assets, bank accounts, investments and recent purchases, while also examining whether the accused accumulated wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income after joining the Ram Temple donation counting operations.Police first searched the residence of Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav, a former driver associated with the temple trust.His two-storey house in Swargdwar locality was initially found locked, following which his mother arrived and opened the premises.Investigators examined cupboards, trunks and other storage spaces and questioned family members regarding Yadav’s assets. Jewellery, documents, and appliances were recovered, and their money trail is being checked.The adjoining residence of co-accused Manish Yadav was also searched. As the house was locked, police questioned the tenants about Manish’s activities.At the residence of Anukalp Mishra, whom investigators suspect to be one of the key conspirators in the alleged embezzlement, investigators scrutinised property papers, bank account details and questioned family members and neighbours about his financial status and lifestyle.During the search, police recovered a diary and several documents, which investigators believe could be relevant to the probe.At the residence of Lavkush Mishra in Rudauli, officers questioned his 72-year-old grandfather and gathered information about the family’s financial condition.Searches were also conducted at the residence of retired bank employee Subhash Chandra Srivastava in Anjanipuram, where the house was found locked. Police questioned neighbours about his assets and recent lifestyle changes.At the Kaushalpuri residence of another accused, Avinash Shukla, no family member was present. Investigators questioned a nearby shopkeeper, who reportedly informed them that Shukla was associated with a yoga centre.Police also searched the house of accused Ramashankar Mishra at Naya Ghat. His father, Chhannu Lal Mishra, said officers examined cupboards and trunks, searched the premises and obtained signatures on certain documents.He maintained that nothing incriminating was recovered from the house and added that his son was associated with the Ram Temple for six years.According to police, the searches were carried out to gather documentary evidence, verify assets and corroborate financial transactions linked to the investigation. Senior police officials said that all the documents recovered would be scrutinised and the accused would be confronted with the evidence.
