41 C The Times of India
Elections 2026Lucknow / The Times of India
An organized insider operation is suspected in the alleged theft of donations for the Ram temple, with an employee identified as a central figure. Investigators are examining evidence suggesting daily cash siphoning and suspicious behavior captured on CCTV. The probe also scrutinizes the handling of precious metal donations, with significant cash recoveries reported from several accused.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Alok Kumar has urged authorities to summon opposition leaders who have publicly alleged theft of offerings at the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. Kumar wants leaders like Ram Gopal Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to substantiate their claims regarding missing valuables and the scale of the alleged scam.
An emergency meeting is scheduled as the Ram temple trust grapples with a donation theft scandal. Investigations reveal early warnings were ignored, leading to the emergence of Avinash Shukla as a key accused. Significant financial improvements among suspects and potential daily theft of Rs 6-8 lakh are under scrutiny. CCTV footage and close ties between staff and trust members are also being examined.
An investigation into Ram Temple donations in Ayodhya has revealed a stark financial uplift among accused individuals, with some building homes and acquiring SUVs despite modest known incomes. Evidence suggests significant daily siphoning of funds, estimated at Rs 6 to Rs 8 lakh, particularly during the Maha Kumbh period. Concerns were raised about the handling of precious metal donations and the lack of proper oversight.
Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) has justified revising electricity loads for over 46 lakh consumers, citing adherence to the Electricity Supply Code. This move, affecting some smart meter users, aims to align sanctioned loads with actual usage. However, consumer groups allege violations of central policies and potential financial burdens, particularly for BPL households whose subsidies may be impacted by increased load limits.
A notorious fugitive, convicted for a 2008 dacoity-cum-murder in Gujarat and on the run for over 15 years after escaping police custody, has been apprehended in Ayodhya. Ghanshyam Verma, who had been living under an assumed identity as a mechanic, was arrested in a joint operation by UP STF and Gujarat Police. His capture concludes a lengthy manhunt across multiple states.
A woman caused a stir at Gonda railway station by climbing a 150-foot tower with her three young children, demanding to live with her alleged lover. After a tense nine-hour standoff, a specialized SDRF team successfully brought the family down safely. The woman's desperate plea to unite with her partner led to the dramatic rescue operation, drawing a large crowd.
Uttar Pradesh ATS apprehended a man with a 25,000 bounty, allegedly a key player in a cross-border fake currency network. Operating from Bangladesh via West Bengal, the syndicate supplied counterfeit notes to various Indian states. This arrest follows the earlier capture of two associates in Varanasi, who revealed the supply chain. Investigators are now working to dismantle the entire operation and identify more syndicate members.
Ayodhya police are intensifying their probe into alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement, tracing an SUV linked to accused Avinash Shukla used for transporting misappropriated cash. Investigators are examining the vehicle's records and questioning Shukla, a former donation counting employee. Authorities believe more cash and valuables may be hidden, with the SUV's digital evidence crucial for tracing the stolen funds and identifying other accomplices.
In a surprising move, Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited has agreed to refund excess smart meter charges to around 93,000 consumers, diverging from their own findings that indicate nearly six lakh customers were overcharged. This decision follows an instruction from the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission. To date, Rs 33.