Demand for Action Against Alleged Misappropriation of Donations for Ayodhya Temple

Call for Accountability in Ayodhya Temple Donations

Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid has urged for strict action against individuals allegedly involved in the misappropriation of donations for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He emphasized that this issue is deeply connected to faith and public trust, asserting that the government should set a precedent by punishing those responsible. Speaking to a news outlet, Khurshid reiterated his previous stance on the Supreme Court's landmark ruling regarding the Ram Janmabhoomi case.

He stated, "Is there a greater tragedy than this? While opinions may vary across the country or state regarding what is right, the Supreme Court has made its decision. I have supported the Supreme Court's ruling. The temple is now built, and people are donating money. Whose property is this? It belongs to Lord Ram." Khurshid insisted that those who betray the trust of millions of devotees must be punished to uphold the sanctity of the temple.

Allegations of Financial Misconduct

Khurshid further remarked, "If the government has any faith in Lord Ram, it must take stringent action against those who have committed such acts." This statement follows allegations made by former SP MLA Pawan Pandey from Ayodhya, who claimed that ₹7 to ₹7.5 crores were embezzled from the donations received for the Ram Temple. In response to these allegations, the state government established a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 14 to investigate the purported scam related to the donations made to the temple, at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Trust.

Legal Action and Investigation

A new petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored investigation into the alleged financial irregularities within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The petition requests the registration of an FIR and the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the alleged missing funds, financial discrepancies, mismanagement, and other irregularities associated with the trust's operations.

The petition, filed by lawyers Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, also seeks directives for the trust and the Uttar Pradesh government to preserve all physical, digital, and financial records, including donation registers, audit reports, CCTV footage, bank records, and other documents related to the trust's donations and assets.

Preservation of Evidence

Additionally, the petition demands that the trust and government be prohibited from destroying, altering, tampering with, transferring, or otherwise misusing any records, assets, funds, documents, or electronic data related to this matter. It calls for the court's intervention to maintain institutional integrity, uphold the rule of law, and restore public confidence in the administration and management of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

The petition argues that the scope of the ongoing SIT investigation is unclear and that the initial stages of a criminal investigation are crucial for preserving evidence. It warns that any delays could lead to tampering with vital evidence and hinder timely investigative measures. The petition advocates for an independent and impartial investigation to uncover the truth and ensure accountability if any wrongdoing is proven.