A fresh controversy has erupted over alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, prompting the state government to form a three-member special investigation team to probe the allegations.
The special investigation team was tasked with examining the claims linked to the donations received by the temple and the financial performance of the Ram Temple Trust in Ayodhya.
What is controversy?
The matter came into focus earlier this month after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed that reports suggested several million rupees donated to the Ram temple had gone missing. He called on the judiciary to take this issue into consideration on its own.
In a social media post, he raised concerns over alleged irregularities involving donations worth crores of rupees and termed the situation surrounding the temple trust as “shameful”.
Speaking about the allegations later that day, the Fund’s Secretary General, Champat Rai, said the Fund regularly conducts internal audits. He said that such exercises continue for several days and that the current audit process is still underway. Ray said nothing significant has been observed so far.
“Only an impartial investigation conducted by SIT can bring those involved in the scam to justice. The investigation conducted by the Trust will face several questions,” a Trust member told Hindustan Times.
The controversy escalated further when former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Charan Singh said he was aware of the alleged misuse of donations but chose not to reveal the details.
UP government forms SIT to investigate the matter
The BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday announced the formation of a three-member special investigation committee to probe the matter at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The committee comprises Lucknow District Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police (Lucknow Range) Kiran S, and Special Secretary (Finance) Neil Ratan. The team has been directed to conduct a detailed investigation and submit its findings to the government.
The foundation said that these allegations are part of a dangerous conspiracy aimed at tarnishing the image of Tirth Kshetra and hurting the sentiments of millions of devotees, adding that the truth must be highlighted.
As the dispute intensified $10,000 were recovered from the residence of an employee involved in the cash donation count in Ayodhya on Friday, and the state government moved to form a special investigation team.
Akhilesh raises his stand against the government, and Congress joins the attack
The Samajwadi Party leader intensified his criticism of the Yogi Adityanath-led government, claiming that the source of the conspiracy was “not far away”.
In a post on X on Saturday, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said: “The root of this conspiracy is not far away, so there will be no need to go far to take action if we are to uncover the truth.”
He added: “If the police cannot identify the guilty party, we can help.”
Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai also called for an independent investigation under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge.
BJP reacts
Reacting to the controversy, Uttar Pradesh Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said the trust has already started its own investigations and will act in accordance with its rules and regulations. He also said the issue falls largely under the fund’s jurisdiction.
Rajneesh Singh, a senior BJP leader, also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that he declare details of finances, assets, donations, spending, bank accounts and land transactions.
With input from agencies
