Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The controversy surrounding the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple intensified on Thursday, with former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust chief Champat Rai reportedly indicating that he may step away from his role amid mounting scrutiny, while the Special Investigation Team (SIT) carried out an extensive round of questioning in Ayodhya.
Ahead of a crucial trust meeting scheduled for July 6, sources said Rai has conveyed to close associates that his “service in Ayodhya is complete” and that he does not wish to continue under the “stigma” created by the donation embezzlement controversy. Sources also claimed that Rai, who is currently keeping a low profile, has said that the trust had been “betrayed”, though he did not elaborate on whom he was referring to.
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The SIT, which is probing allegations of misappropriation of donations collected at the Ram Temple, returned to Ayodhya on Thursday and questioned Rai, trust member Dr Anil Mishra and temple official Gopal Rao for a second time. Unlike the earlier round, when all three were examined separately, investigators reportedly questioned them together to reconstruct the sequence of events, understand how the alleged irregularities continued over a prolonged period and assess their respective roles.
SIT CONDUCTS MARATHON PROBE
The development came as the SIT conducted an intensive eight-hour investigation at the Ram Temple complex. inside the Ram Temple complex. According to sources, the investigation, led by IPS officer Kiran S, began at around 1.40 pm and continued until 8.30 pm. Investigators are said to have examined evidence, reviewed security arrangements, scrutinised donation collection procedures and questioned several individuals connected to the temple’s operations.
Sources further indicated that Rai, Mishra and Rao were among those questioned during the marathon probe, although neither the SIT nor the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has officially confirmed the details.
A key decision regarding Rai and Mishra, both of whom have resigned from their positions, is expected to be taken during the July 6 trust meeting, where a two-thirds majority vote may determine their future association with the trust. The meeting is also likely to discuss governance issues and consider recommendations submitted by the SIT.
The participation of trust chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das remains uncertain. The 89-year-old religious leader is currently hospitalised with a urinary tract infection and breathing difficulties. A prominent figure of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Das has increasingly attended trust meetings virtually due to age-related health concerns.
The SIT submitted its preliminary report to Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Prasad on June 23. Based on the findings, an FIR was registered on June 25 against eight individuals involved in handling and counting donations at the temple. Rai, Mishra and Rao were not named in the FIR.
Police also took accused Avinash Shukla, who was associated with the donation counting process, into custody on a 24-hour remand for further questioning.
FRESH ALLEGATIONS
Adding another dimension to the controversy, Hari Shankar Safariwala, who identified himself as the panch pramukh of the centuries-old Ram Niwas Temple in Ramkot adjacent to the Ram Mandir complex, accused Rai and “his gang” of illegally taking control of the shrine through forged documents. Speaking at a press conference addressed by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Safariwala alleged that authorities had ignored his complaints.
Meanwhile, lawyers from the Faizabad Bar Association staged a protest march and submitted a complaint at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station seeking registration of an FIR against Rai, Mishra and temple official Gopal Rao. According to Bar Association president Kalika Prasad Mishra, trustee Krishna Mohan—who was the complainant in the original FIR—has also been named as an accused in the lawyers’ complaint.
The lawyers marched from the court premises to the police station and demanded a fair, impartial and comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
OPPOSITION STEPS UP ATTACK
The allegations triggered a fresh political storm, with opposition parties demanding accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and calling for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation.
In Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal alleged that only “pawns” had been arrested while influential individuals were being protected. He further claimed that corruption had taken place in land purchases, temple construction and donations offered by devotees. Kejriwal said the trust office-bearers had been handpicked by the prime minister and questioned why action was not taken to stop the alleged wrongdoing.
“The Ram Mandir Trust office bearers were handpicked by the prime minister himself. A home ministry officer is also part of the trust,” he said, asking why the prime minister “did not act to stop the theft”.
The Congress announced plans to launch a campaign against the alleged “looting” of temple donations. Senior party leader K.C. Venugopal wrote to Modi seeking an immediate Supreme Court-monitored investigation into what he described as the “Chanda Chori mega scandal”, alleging that those who spoke of “Ram Rajya” had embezzled offerings made by devotees.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed that news of the alleged donation theft had spread to villages across Uttar Pradesh and warned that the BJP would face public anger over the issue. “This time the BJP will get neither donations, nor offerings, nor votes,” he said in Lucknow.
CPI MP P. Sandosh also wrote to the prime minister demanding a CAG audit of donations and a judicial inquiry into the alleged irregularities. He accused the RSS, VHP and BJP of turning Lord Ram into a political project and betraying the faith of millions of devotees.
RECOVERIES
Separately, official and police sources said the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has served a notice to the wife of donation theft accused Lavkush Mishra over the alleged unauthorised construction of a house in Banvirpur village in Sohawal tehsil. Authorities said the land was purchased in the name of his wife, Supriya Mishra, and construction was undertaken without the mandatory approval of the development authority.
Investigators have also made substantial cash recoveries during the probe. Police sources said Rs 20.39 lakh was recovered from Avinash Shukla, Rs 18.07 lakh from Karunesh Pandey, Rs 16.82 lakh from Anukalp Mishra, Rs 14.25 lakh from Lavkush Mishra, Rs 7.32 lakh from Ramashankar Mishra and Rs 1 lakh from Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu.
In addition, police recovered approximately 11 grams of gold, around 375 grams of silver and USD 1,121 during the investigation.
Investigators also seized a donation box marked “Ramrajya Kosh” bearing a Paytm QR code from a yoga centre in Ayodhya where Avinash Shukla had reportedly been residing for nearly a decade.
The alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations first came to light on June 7. Following the SIT’s preliminary findings, an FIR was registered on June 25 and eight individuals associated with the temple’s donation collection and counting system have since been arrested. The investigation remains ongoing.
– Ends
With inputs from PTI
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
