Overview
- The Supreme Court‑mandated Special Investigation Team filed the nearly 70,000‑page chargesheet on Wednesday, naming eight accused and charging them with criminal breach of trust and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
- The prosecution lists more than 105 alleged instances of unauthorised removal or concealment of cash during donation counting and reports recoveries of about Rs 79.85 lakh from the accused.
- CCTV footage, call‑detail records, mobile chats, banking records and a forensic audit are cited as core evidence, with the chargesheet recording specific counts on camera such as Avinash Shukla being seen removing money 85 times.
- Investigators say the probe traced proceeds into purchases of vehicles, land and houses and recovered ornaments while separately verifying 803 recorded donated valuables and large consignments of silver handled through official melting processes.
- The filing brings the case into formal trial with nearly 190 witness statements listed, and it raises questions about donation controls at a high‑profile temple and possible changes to oversight and auditing of charitable receipts.