Overview
- Police obtained 24-hour custody of accused Avinash Shukla after recovering about ₹20.4 lakh from his linked premises and investigators have recovered roughly ₹79.85 lakh plus gold, silver and foreign currency from eight arrested men.
- A three-member Special Investigation Team questioned trust figures Champat Rai, Dr. Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao for hours as the probe, which the state extended through mid‑July, looks to establish who oversaw counting and banking procedures.
- Investigators have seized audit records and CCTV, asked for multi‑year financial data and engaged forensic accounting to trace how cash and valuables were handled before deposit.
- The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will consider written explanations and possible show‑cause action or acceptance of resignations at a July 6 meeting while authorities review properties of the accused and the Ayodhya Development Authority has issued compliance notices.
- Political and legal pressure is growing as opposition leaders seek a Supreme Court‑monitored or CAG audit and local lawyers have filed complaints demanding FIRs against senior trust officials.