BJP leader seeks Central probe into alleged Ram temple fund embezzlement

Senior BJP leader and party spokesperson Dr Rajneesh Singh on Tuesday (June 9) sought an impartial Central probe into the alleged embezzlement of funds received at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh demanded an investigation by an independent Central agency such as the CBI, the ED or any other competent authority. He urged that the findings be made public to strengthen devotees’ faith in the temple trust.

Mishra makes surprise visit

"Ram temple is the centre of faith, devotion and belief of crores of Hindus. Worshippers from across the country and abroad make donations according to their devotion," Singh said. He added that if the allegations are found to be true, they would amount to an economic offence and deeply hurt the religious sentiments of millions of devotees. "Strict action should be taken against those found guilty," he said.

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On Sunday, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav had alleged that crores of rupees from donations made at the Ram temple were missing and called for judicial intervention, saying, "The government's silence is suspicious."

Amid the controversy, Ram Temple Building Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra arrived in Ayodhya on Tuesday and held a nearly four-hour closed-door meeting inside the temple complex. Sources said Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and other members attended the meeting.

Mishra's visit assumed significance as he was originally scheduled to attend a review meeting in Ayodhya on June 13. With the controversy escalating, his programme was reportedly advanced and he arrived without prior public announcement.

Trust cites internal audits

Meanwhile, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and those associated with it maintained distance from the media and avoided interactions with journalists. The Trust has not issued any official statement so far.

Responding to Akhilesh Yadav's allegations, Trust General Secretary Champat Rai said internal audits were underway and no evidence supporting the claims had emerged. He said representatives of the Trust and the State Bank of India were involved in the periodic audit.

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Yadav termed the clarification vague and demanded that all Trust members explain the matter collectively. He also suggested examining CCTV footage to verify the donation amount.

The Trust has installed about four dozen donation boxes along the temple premises and darshan route. Cash is collected daily, with the SBI overseeing counting through a private agency.

(With agency inputs)