Ayodha Ram temple row: SIT set up to probe 'missing' donations, employee held
UP government has launched a high-level police and finance audit into the temple trust, as row over the missing Ram Janmabhoomi temple donations intensifies
The political storm over alleged missing donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple has intensified, as a special investigation team (SIT) has been set up to probe the alleged financial irregularities. In a breakthrough, a temple employee too has been detained but no further details have been shared by the authorities.
Meanwhile, the SIT is all set to examine allegations related to donations and the financial management of the Ram temple trust in Ayodhya. As investigators widen their net, veteran BJP leader Vinay Katiyar is demanding strict action against anyone found guilty of siphoning off temple funds.
3-member SIT set up
What started as a political row over missing cash from the Ram temple donation boxes has now led to a major crackdown. Desperate to shut down "misinformation" and clear its name, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust itself called for an independent probe.
The UP government quickly set up a three-member SIT, led by divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, IG Kiran S, and finance expert Neel Ratan, who are tasked with auditing the books and checking for any irregularities.
Temple employees under scanner
Meanwhile, the investigation on the ground has gathered pace.
Reports said several employees involved in the counting of donations are under the scanner. The Special Operations Group (SOG) is conducting an extensive probe, examining CCTV footage and other technical and physical evidence.
Investigators have picked up Lav Kush, a resident of Rudauli’s Shujaganj area, for questioning over his alleged links to the missing temple cash.
Also read: BJP leader seeks Central probe into alleged Ram temple fund embezzlement
According to reports quoting sources, a stash of cash has already been recovered during the raids. Officials, however, are tight-lipped about the exact amount.
Donation row
The donation row exploded earlier this month when Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that crores of rupees in Ram Mandir offerings had vanished, and asked the courts to step in.
BJP leaders too weighed in on this controversy. Former MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh cryptically admitted he knew about the financial misconduct but refused to give names, while BJP insider Rajneesh Singh dashed off a letter to PM Modi demanding a full public disclosure of the trust’s accounts.
Not to be left out, UP Congress chief Ajay Rai demanded that a sitting High Court judge should spearhead an independent crackdown.
Temple trust responds
According to reports, the Ram Temple Trust General Secretary Champat Rai tried to cool matters down by claiming internal audits show no proof of missing cash as yet. But the damage has been done.
Firebrand BJP leader Vinay Katiyar went on the warpath, calling any potential theft a "betrayal of millions of devotees", who sacrificed for decades to build the temple. At a press conference, Katiyar demanded the immediate arrest of any insider involved.
Political leaders are hoping the state's elite SIT will uncover the truth.