India, July 8 -- The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of devotees' offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has identified Avinash Shukla as the prime accused in the case, sources.

According to the preliminary findings of the three-member SIT, Shukla, who was engaged in counting cash donations at the temple, allegedly played a central role in a suspected racket involving nearly 70 instances of pilferage over around 40 days from the temple's donation-counting system.

The interim report, submitted to Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad on June 23, reportedly names Shukla as accused number one after investigators found the strongest evidence trail against him. The findings were also discuss...