New Delhi, Nov 11: Intensifying its political offensive regarding allegations of financial embezzlement at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, the Indian National Congress on Wednesday demanded that all accounts, audit registers, and donation logs of the temple trust be placed in the public domain, calling for an independent inquiry monitored by the Supreme Court of India.
Addressing the issue in a statement posted on social media platform X under the heading “Chanda Chori, Aastha Dhokha”, Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh asserted that legal culpability cannot be restricted exclusively to eight lower-level contract staff members recently arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). He argued that institutional accountability must encompass high-ranking trust administrators, office-bearers, and managers responsible for the collection, custody, and banking of public devotional offerings.
Ramesh cited internal communications dating back to 2021, alleging that former accounts in-charge Mahipal Singh had raised formal flags regarding missing cash offerings and discrepancies in donation records directly with senior trust officials Champat Rai and Gopal Rao. The Congress leader questioned why the whistleblower was removed from his post rather than an institutional inquiry initiated at that time, and pointed to allegations raised by project engineer Dinanath Verma regarding commission demands.
The opposition party questioned why senior trust administrators were treated as prosecution witnesses rather than being subject to scrutiny regarding supervisory lapses. Demanding a comprehensive, court-monitored forensic audit of all funds, precious metals, and foreign currency received since the foundation of the trust, Ramesh asserted that no political access or organizational standing should shield individuals from transparent accountability when public religious trust is involved.
Published by True Roots Media