The central mastermind of the Ram temple donations theft racket explicitly ‘taught employees how to steal’ and subsequently roped in his nephew and an estimated 200 external handlers to run the operation, claims a three-part investigation, ‘Operation Chanda Chori’, by Times Now.The investigation features an on-camera whistleblower, a close aide to SC-appointed Ram Mandir trustee Mahant Dinendra Das, who reveals a highly organised racket siphoning off gold, silver, and material donations meant for the temple.The investigation also reveals a highly sophisticated modus operandi designed to siphon temple gold and silver under the guise of processing. Gold and silver offerings were allegedly packed into sacks and transported via trains to Karnataka for melting, completely bypassing local jewellers in Ayodhya, Faizabad, or Lucknow. Handlers deliberately manipulated transportation logs. For example, transporting 26kg of gold while carrying an official voucher for only 25kg. If intercepted, the voucher covered the bulk, and if undetected, the extra gold was immediately pocketed. While the temple’s heavy precious metals were sent by rail, the masterminds travelled via commercial and chartered flights.The investigation also alleged misappropriation of material donations.A consignment consisting of two truckloads of winter jackets, sent by a donor in Mumbai for low-income temple staff, was allegedly hijacked. Only 40 jackets reached the workers; the remaining bulk of the shipment was reportedly diverted to the private residence of a senior trust member and illegally sold into the commercial market.To ensure the racket continued without interference, the “syndicate actively isolated and blinded key members of the trust”.The whistleblower claimed that communication channels were intentionally cut to keep SC-appointed trustees, including Mahant Dinendra Das, in the dark.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBengal Eyes New Industrial Era As CM Adhikari Targets FDI Growth And Manufacturing ExpansionTMC Power Battle Escalates As Ritabrata Faction Takes Over Party HQ, Stakes Claim To SymbolCentre Directs Apple, Google To Remove 7 Apps From Their Stores Over E-Rickshaw Shutdown ScareCentre To Summon Meta Over Instagram Ads Promoting Child Sexual Abuse: Report’Police Are Not Servants Of CM Or PM’: Bombay High Court Quashes SDPI Leader’s ExternmentFour Former AIADMK Ministers Switch To TVK; Fresh Political Churn Leaves Six Assembly Seats VacantKarur Stampede Flashpoint: TVK-DMK Clash; Former CM Allegedly Blamed For Loss Of LivesTwin-Flower Symbol Under Threat As EC Examines Mamata And Ritabrata Faction ClaimsRam Mandir Donation Row Deepens As Vinay Katiyar Claims Trust Officials Could Face Jail’Unfortunate, We Are All Hurt’: RSS Issues First Statement On Ayodhya Ram Temple ‘Donation Theft’123PhotostoriesCan a slice of bread keep cookies soft? Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 6 clever storage tips for cookiesWhat would you do? I found out my friends have a separate WhatsApp group without me; 5 women share what they did next60-second money lesson: The first three things to do after your salary is credited5 ingredients to mix with curry leaf oil for faster hair growthLabrador Retriever vs Golden Retriver vs Beagle: Which is best suited for families with children10 deadliest snakes in the world and where can travellers find them”I make really good Indian…” Taylor Swift reveals her love for cooking this fiber-rich vegetarian dishKangana Ranaut channels vintage femme fatale glamour in a fierce all-black look for ‘Lock Upp 2’From his bond with Dilip Joshi to watching IPL match with SRK in his vanity: When Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s Goli aka Kush Shah spoke about his journey8 traditional South Indian rice dishes for a light, healthy summer dinner (with calories)123Hot PicksTrump tariffsLuka Modric Net WorthEPF Scheme 2026Amarnath Yatra 2026Income Tax Return FilingMumbai rainUS unemploymentMicrosoft layoffsIndia Japal TradeTop TrendingBrittany MahomesTravis KelceKansas CityFIFA World Cup 2026GTA 6 Estimated SizeNew England PatriotsCandace OwensFIFA War DecisionCA Toppers ListAnitha Radhakrishnan
The central mastermind of the Ram temple donations theft racket explicitly ‘taught employees how to steal’ and subsequently roped in his nephew and an estimated 200 external handlers to run the operation, claims a three-part investigation, ‘Operation Chanda Chori’, by Times Now.The investigation features an on-camera whistleblower, a close aide to SC-appointed Ram Mandir trustee Mahant Dinendra Das, who reveals a highly organised racket siphoning off gold, silver, and material donations meant for the temple.The investigation also reveals a highly sophisticated modus operandi designed to siphon temple gold and silver under the guise of processing. Gold and silver offerings were allegedly packed into sacks and transported via trains to Karnataka for melting, completely bypassing local jewellers in Ayodhya, Faizabad, or Lucknow. Handlers deliberately manipulated transportation logs. For example, transporting 26kg of gold while carrying an official voucher for only 25kg. If intercepted, the voucher covered the bulk, and if undetected, the extra gold was immediately pocketed. While the temple’s heavy precious metals were sent by rail, the masterminds travelled via commercial and chartered flights.The investigation also alleged misappropriation of material donations.A consignment consisting of two truckloads of winter jackets, sent by a donor in Mumbai for low-income temple staff, was allegedly hijacked. Only 40 jackets reached the workers; the remaining bulk of the shipment was reportedly diverted to the private residence of a senior trust member and illegally sold into the commercial market.To ensure the racket continued without interference, the “syndicate actively isolated and blinded key members of the trust”.The whistleblower claimed that communication channels were intentionally cut to keep SC-appointed trustees, including Mahant Dinendra Das, in the dark.
