Ayodhya/Pratapgarh50 minutes ago
The story of Avinash Shukla, who went from being a modest employee in Pratapgarh to owning two houses in just a few months, is like a film script.
Villagers were stunned by Avinash’s sudden change of fortune. However on June 4, when the police seized ₹20.39 lakh and US$1,121 from his house, all questions were answered.
Dainik Bhaskar‘s team reached Avinash’s house in Pratapgarh. It was locked. The entire family was found hiding in a mud house 50 meters away. As soon as they saw our Dainik Bhaskar team, Avinash’s brother flared up. He shouted, “Leave us alone… We are tired of answering people’s questions.” Avinash’s father said, “The matter is in Ayodhya Court, you will get answers from there.”
After meeting Avinash’s family, two things became clear. First- they no longer want to face the villagers. Second- they are troubled by people’s questions after the police raid and Avinash’s arrest.
The Bhaskar reporter found Avinash’s permanent house locked. Avinash’s old house is 50 meters away from here.
Locals say Avinash’s family has disputes with many
Nariawan village is about 40 km from Pratapgarh district headquarters. A narrow road through the fields leads to Avinash’s house in Babupur. When our team tried to talk to the villagers on camera, they said, “Why do you make us fight? Many people in the village already have disputes with Avinash’s family.”
People said Avinash’s father Ram Sajeevan is a farmer. His family owns about 13 bighas of land. Avinash is the youngest of five brothers. Three elder brothers — Lalit, Amit, and Anuj — do farming work at home.
Dhaba, shop all closed, family running on farming
Money for running Avinash’s household came only from farming. Elder brothers Lalit and Amit together opened a dhaba on the road from Fatehpur to Kanpur. But, it had to be closed down in a short time.
Lalit then opened a paan shop outside the village. This also did not run well. So, it also had to be closed. Due to the family’s financial hardship, Abhishek, Avinash’s elder brother, went to Ayodhya about 10 years ago. He was living in Shyam Sadhanalaya Yoga Center in Kaushalpuri. There he served Dr. Chaitanya Guru. Then he became a teacher in his yoga center.
Avinash left studies, started selling shoes
Avinash’s mind was not in his studies. He had dropped out after 10th grade. Derwa market is about 15 kilometers away from home. Avinash started working at a shoe store there. He used to get ₹5,000. However, after working for some time, he left it all. He started insisting to his family to get him an e-rickshaw, which he would drive in the city. But the family did not have enough money to get Avinash an e-rickshaw.
Elder brother called him to Ayodhya, got him a job in the temple
Avinash told his elder brother Abhishek about his problem. A year and a half ago, he called Avinash to a yoga center in Ayodhya. He recommended Avinash to some people and got him a job at the Ram Temple. This was the opportunity that changed the family’s fortune.
Manoj Shukla, former Block Head of Babaganj, says, “We don’t know this family directly. It’s true that until two years ago, this family had nothing. They had opened a paan shop here, which didn’t work out. When the theft was exposed, we found out. It seems like a small-scale theft, like a pinch of salt in the dal. But, the big fish hasn’t been caught yet.”
Manoj Shukla says that the investigation is still ongoing. More people like Avinash might come forward.
Family misleading by locking the permanent house from inside
Understanding the village atmosphere, our Dainik Bhaskar team reached the place where Avinash’s house is located. This white-colored house had a channel gate for entry. It was locked from the inside. No one came out when called.
About 50 meters away is a mud house. This is where Avinash’s father and his entire family used to live. We reached there. Here we met Avinash’s father, brother Amit, and their mother. They flared up as soon as they saw us. They said, “We don’t want to talk. The matter is in Ayodhya Court, go there.”
Amit said, “I know that some people from the village itself are calling the media from outside and defaming us. Leave from here immediately… otherwise it won’t be good.” We explained that they should present their side.
Amit’s family refused to talk. They closed the door and said, “Go away, or it won’t be good.”
Another house built in two years, all facilities available here
A new house is being built about 50 meters away from this old house. Villagers said that Avinash is building this house. Some laborers were present in this house, who were making the floor. The house has gates on 3 sides. The entire house has tiles. Indian and Western toilets are also built. This means that all the necessary things should be present here. Villagers say this house was completely ready in just two years.
Stealing where we bow our heads is wrong
Ram Bahadur from the same village says, “Offerings should not have been stolen from Ram Temple. In the temple where we go, where we bow our heads, if theft is happening there, it’s not a good thing.” We asked if the accused of theft is from his own village, Ram Bahadur replied, “We don’t have information about this.”
Ram Bahadur said that the whole village is discussing this matter, but no one is openly saying anything. Everyone is angry.
Elder son’s wedding was normal, second son’s had a grand function
We asked the villagers – a picture of Avinash’s elder brother Amit had surfaced. In it, he was seen standing with lakhs of rupees in his hand. People said this picture was from the time of his wedding. Amit got married on February 25. It is said that Avinash spent about ₹6 lakh on this function. The wedding took place at Ram Janaki Guest House in Lalganj Ajhara.
Many videos related to weddings and Haldi have surfaced. A villager attending the wedding says – the first son’s wedding didn’t have a good function. But, the second son’s wedding was very grand.
This picture is from Amit’s wedding. The event is being celebrated with great pomp.
Bought a second-hand Brezza, told friends – enjoy yourselves
Avinash bought an old Brezza car last year. The car cost ₹3.5 lakh. He used to travel to and from the village in this car. He would throw parties for his friends in the village. He spent a lot of money. If friends asked him to get them a job like his, he would say, “You guys eat and drink, tell me where you need something… don’t try to know more than that.”
₹2.5 lakh transferred to Avinash’s girlfriend’s account
After the arrest, discussions quickly arose that Avinash’s marriage had broken off. After reaching the village, it came to light that Avinash also has a girlfriend in Ayodhya. Avinash had gifted her an iPhone. He had transferred ₹2.5 lakh to her bank account. He often used to gift her jewelry. Police also found 11 grams of gold and 375 grams of silver jewelry from Avinash’s house.
When the police interrogated Avinash, he admitted all this. The police have not yet questioned that girl. Villagers say that there is no information about his relationship with any girl in Pratapgarh.
Ayodhya Yoga Center expelled Avinash’s brother
As soon as Avinash’s name came up in the Ram Mandir offering theft case, Shyam Sadhanalaya Yoga Center expelled Avinash’s brother Abhishek from there. Police investigated this yoga center in Kaushalpuri multiple times.
From here, on June 28, a box labeled ‘Ramrajya Kosh’ was also found. It had a Paytm QR code on it. Several documents related to Ram Mandir were also found. So far, the investigation has revealed that theft of ₹60 lakh to ₹70 lakh was committed solely by Avinash.
Revelations made in SIT investigation regarding Avinash:
- During the 13-hour police custody remand, Avinash confessed that they used to leave the Ram Temple after finishing their duty, filling their pockets with cash and jewellery.
- All the accused used to gather in a secluded forest area located on Ayodhya’s 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg. No one came or went there for miles around. This is where they would distribute the stolen money.
- The SIT has about 70 such digital and CCTV evidences. In these, Avinash and other accused are clearly seen hiding offerings and ornaments in their pockets during their shifts at the temple.
- Bank account analysis revealed that he had transferred millions of rupees to several people in recent days. Suspicious transactions of over ?15 lakh have come to light from his bank accounts.
