‘Farmhouse, Scorpio, Rs 65 lakh house’: Upgraded lifestyle of key accused in Ram Temple ‘donation theft’ case

LUCKNOW: Investigators probing the alleged embezzlement of donations from the Ram Temple have widened their investigation to examine the assets and financial dealings of Anukalp Mishra, who police suspect to be one of the key conspirators behind the alleged theft.Officials are now probing whether his reportedly improved lifestyle and recent acquisitions were funded through the proceeds of the alleged embezzlement, as they attempt to establish a money trail linking the accused to the suspected diversion of devotees’ offerings.According to police sources, Anukalp, who was part of the outsourced team entrusted with counting cash donations at the temple, allegedly played a central role in the conspiracy.Investigators have also alleged that he facilitated the deployment of his brother-in-law, Lavkush Mishra, to the same cash-counting team through the outsourcing agency. Both are among the eight persons arrested so far in the case.As part of the financial investigation, police teams visited Anukalp’s native Basawa village in Ayodhya district, where they found that his residence stood out from neighbouring houses because of its comparatively lavish construction.Residents told investigators that the family’s financial condition had changed significantly over the past few years.Police are verifying claims that Anukalp recently built a farmhouse on the outskirts of the village and purchased a house in Ayodhya last year, reportedly worth around Rs 65 lakh. Investigators are also examining claims that he was in the process of acquiring a Mahindra Scorpio SUV.The probe has also turned to a grand seven-day religious programme allegedly organised by Anukalp in his village on April 30.Investigators are verifying the expenditure incurred on the event and the source of funds used to organise it after several prominent personalities, including senior figures associated with the Ram Temple establishment and local public representatives, attended the function.Police are conducting a similar financial scrutiny of Lavkush Mishra, who allegedly joined the temple donation counting team through Anukalp’s recommendation. Investigators are verifying claims that Lavkush recently purchased a motorcycle worth over Rs 1 lakh despite living in rented accommodation.Officials said the assets, bank accounts, property records, investments and expenditure patterns of all eight arrested accused are now under examination to determine whether they are disproportionate to their known sources of income.The exercise forms part of the broader effort to establish the alleged money trail and identify whether any proceeds from the suspected donation theft were invested in movable or immovable assets. Investigators indicated that more arrests cannot be ruled out as the probe progresses.