India, July 22 -- LUCKNOW The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya has expanded to Lucknow. Authorities are launching a detailed scrutiny of the movable and immovable assets of the kin of the accused in Lucknow to trace proceeds of the crime.

Investigating agencies are collecting details of properties owned by 54 relatives of the eight accused, who have been lodged in Ayodhya jail since June 26, to ascertain whether money allegedly siphoned from the temple's donation collections was used to acquire land, houses, flats, shops or other assets.

Official sources said records have been sought from the Lucknow Municipal Corporation, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), the ...