Security Agency Denies Involvement in Ram Temple Donation Scandal
Clarification from Security Agency
File image of Ram Temple (Photo: @airnewsalerts/X)
Varanasi, July 1: A private security firm has refuted any involvement in the alleged misappropriation of donations linked to the Ram temple, asserting that it merely provided personnel at the request of the State Bank of India (SBI).
This statement comes as investigations continue into the suspected embezzlement of funds at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, where six employees from the agency are among eight individuals arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Gaurav Singh, the director of Sainik Security Services, stated that the agency had hired 22 individuals specifically for housekeeping roles at the SBI's Ayodhya branch and had no influence over their subsequent duties.
Singh emphasized, "Our agency is not connected to the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple. We were tasked with providing 22 personnel for housekeeping at the SBI branch in Ayodhya."
He noted that these recruits were selected based on a list provided by the chief manager of the SBI's Ayodhya branch, all of whom had previously worked for another agency.
Singh clarified that his company does not engage in contracts with temples and only supplied manpower to the SBI.
He added, "The responsibilities these employees undertook and the reasons behind them are matters for the bank to clarify."
Singh mentioned that the SIT is currently investigating the situation, and his agency has complied with all requests for information from the investigators.
This clarification is particularly relevant as sources within SBI had indicated that the bank sought to replace the outsourced cash-counting staff at the Ram temple approximately three months ago due to suspected irregularities in donation handling.
However, it was reported that members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust opposed the staff changes.
The alleged embezzlement was uncovered following preliminary findings from an SIT established by the Uttar Pradesh government, leading to an FIR being filed on June 25 and the arrest of eight individuals.
Additionally, the Uttar Pradesh government has granted a 15-day extension to the SIT to further investigate the allegations of donation embezzlement at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The extension aims to allow a more thorough examination of the case and broaden the investigation's scope.