Ayodhya Ram temple theft probe turns spotlight on Mishra family’s ‘wealth surge’

The Ayodhya Ram temple theft case has brought two members of the same family - Anukalp Mishra and his brother-in-law Lavkush Mishra - under the spotlight, not only for their alleged role in the donation scam but also for the dramatic change in their lifestyle that investigators and locals have highlighted.

Lavkush Mishra, who was part of the team responsible for counting cash and valuable items donated by devotees at the temple, is believed by investigators to be a central figure in the alleged racket. His appointment to the cash-counting team was reportedly facilitated by Anukalp Mishra, who was already working with the same team through a bank’s outsourcing agency.

Also read: How Ayodhya Ram temple donation row put faith and transparency to test

The ongoing probe has drawn attention to the family’s sudden rise in assets and visible signs of wealth.

Major transformation in lifestyle

According to NDTV, a visit to Basava village in Ayodhya revealed that Lavkush Mishra’s house was the most luxurious one among the surrounding properties. Villagers claimed there had been a sharp change in the family’s financial condition, saying that the household, which was once facing financial difficulties, had undergone a major transformation.

Anukalp Mishra’s lifestyle also reportedly changed significantly in recent years. Locals said he built a farmhouse on the outskirts of the village and purchased a house in Ayodhya, which is now estimated at around Rs 65 lakh. He was also reportedly planning to buy a Scorpio SUV, despite already owning a vehicle.

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The family’s spending also came under scrutiny after Anukalp organised a grand seven-day religious programme in the village on April 30, featuring a kathavachak (religious preacher). Several prominent figures attended the event, including Champat Rai, former general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Ayodhya’s mayor and a district panchayat representative were also present.

Where did the funds come from?

Questions have now been raised over the source of funds for such a large-scale event.

Lavkush Mishra, who worked on the temple’s cash-counting team through a bank outsourcing agency, was earning a modest salary, reportedly between Rs 18,000 and Rs 20,000 per month.

During raids at his ancestral home in the Milkipur area of Ayodhya, police allegedly recovered around Rs 12 lakh in cash. Reports said some currency bundles were found hidden under a pile of cow dung in an attempt to conceal them.

Also read: Ayodhya Ram temple multi-crore donation scam: What we know so far

The alleged network came to light after CCTV footage reportedly showed eight temple and bank employees allegedly siphoning off money from donation boxes. Following a preliminary report by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust filed a complaint.

Lavkush Mishra and seven others were arrested and sent to judicial custody. They have been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to theft by a servant, criminal breach of trust, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy.