Closed-circuit television recordings from the Ram temple in Ayodhya captured at least five of eight arrested men removing and concealing bundles of donated cash while counting the funds. Ayodhya police sources reported that a review of 45 days of video from the Pilgrim Facility Centre revealed counting staff hiding notes in their clothing or socks. The manpower agency that supplied the workers stated it did not select them and that the State Bank of India had recommended the names. Police have searched properties linked to the suspects and recovered nearly Rs 80 lakh. An FIR was filed on June 25 by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, leading to the arrest of eight individuals. Six of those arrested were engaged through Sainik Securities, a Varanasi agency, on SBI recommendations. The agency director confirmed it handled only paperwork and verification, not selection. Police noted that several suspects were related to each other or to a trust official and that hiring lacked proper screening. Bank staff are also under investigation.
