The Ayodhya development authority on Tuesday issued a formal notice to the wife of Lavkush Mishra, a key accused in the high‑profile Ram Temple donation investigation, for allegedly constructing an unauthorized three‑storey building on a plot adjacent to the temple complex.
The notice, signed by the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation’s chief engineer, cites violations of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Act, stating that the structure, which is still under construction, lacks the required building plan approvals and exceeds the permissible floor‑area ratio for the site. The authority has ordered a halt to further work until the necessary permissions are obtained or the building is demolished, whichever the law mandates.
Mishra, a former member of the temple trust board, was arrested in 2023 on charges of siphoning donations meant for the temple’s construction. Investigators allege that he and several co‑accused misappropriated funds collected from devotees. His wife, Smt. Renu Mishra, who is listed as the legal owner of the property, has not been charged in the donation case.
Local officials said the notice is part of a broader effort to enforce zoning rules in the rapidly developing Ayodhya region, where new residential and commercial projects have surged since the temple’s inauguration. “All constructions must comply with the approved master plan,” the notice read. “Non‑compliance will attract penal action, including demolition.”
The family has not publicly responded to the notice. Legal experts note that while the property dispute is separate from the criminal probe into donation fraud, the concurrent scrutiny could compound the Mishras’ legal challenges.
Analysis: The timing of the notice raises questions about whether the Ayodhya authority is intensifying regulatory oversight in the wake of the donation scandal, or if it reflects routine enforcement of building codes. The case underscores the complex interplay between religious institutions, political patronage, and real‑estate development in Uttar Pradesh. If the construction is deemed illegal, the authorities could pursue demolition, which would add a civil dimension to the Mishras’ existing criminal exposure.
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Sources
Hindustan Times, “Ram Temple donation case accused’s wife gets notice over ‘illegal’ construction,” https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ram-temple-donation-case-accused-s-wife-gets-notice-over-illegal-construction-101783047175838.html
Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
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