Congress Demands Expanded Probe into Ram Temple Donation Theft, Says No One Should Escape Accountability

NEW DELHI, Nov 11: The Congress on Wednesday intensified its criticism over the alleged theft of donations and offerings at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, demanding a broader investigation, public disclosure of financial records and legal action against everyone found responsible.

The opposition party maintained that the inquiry should not be confined to the eight employees arrested in connection with the case. It called for the examination of all individuals involved in the temple’s construction, administration, donation collection and handling of offerings, preferably under the supervision of the Supreme Court.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh accused people associated with the BJP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) of exercising influence over different aspects of the temple’s management. He argued that those holding positions of responsibility should also be answerable for the alleged financial irregularities.

Ramesh referred to allegations reportedly raised in 2021 by Mahipal Singh, a former accounts official associated with the RSS who had been assigned to the temple for voluntary service. According to the Congress leader, Singh had detected alleged irregularities in the handling of offerings and brought the matter to the attention of trust officials Champat Rai and Gopal Rao.

However, instead of action being taken against those allegedly involved, Singh was reportedly removed from his position, Ramesh claimed. He questioned whether the officials who were allegedly informed about the matter should also be examined to establish what action, if any, was taken at the time.

The Congress leader also cited media reports concerning allegations made by Dinanath Verma, an engineer associated with the temple’s construction project. Verma reportedly claimed that a commission of 40 per cent was demanded for certain works connected with the trust office. He allegedly presented an audio recording of the conversation to Champat Rai, after which he was removed from the project.

Ramesh questioned whether Rai had been directly questioned over the allegation. He further sought an explanation for why Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao were reportedly listed as witnesses rather than accused persons in the chargesheet, despite allegations that they had previously been informed about irregularities.

Raising questions about the backgrounds of some individuals named in the case, Ramesh referred to media reports concerning accused Anukalp Mishra’s alleged association with the Bajrang Dal and an RSS shakha. He also mentioned Rai’s reported participation in a Bhagwat Katha programme associated with Mishra on April 30, 2026.

The Congress leader questioned whether such connections had been adequately examined by investigators and alleged that the investigation should establish whether anyone in a position of influence had protected those suspected of involvement.

He also referred to Subhash Srivastava, who was reportedly responsible for supervising employees engaged in counting donations. According to Ramesh, media reports suggested that Srivastava hosted an RSS shakha at his residence.

The Congress leader claimed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had held Srivastava responsible for allegedly handing over the keys of donation boxes to unauthorised persons. He also cited reports identifying another accused, Tinnu Yadav, as Rai’s former driver.

Ramesh questioned the recruitment procedures followed for personnel handling donations at the temple. He said advertisements were reportedly issued for appointing priests, with selection and training committees established for the process.

However, he alleged that no comparable recruitment exercise was conducted for employees working in the donation-counting room, despite the substantial sums of money received there every week. He questioned whether individuals responsible for appointing associates to these sensitive positions should also be included in the investigation.

The Congress leader further brought the formation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust into the debate. He recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of the trust in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2020.

Ramesh alleged that the selection process and related decisions were carried out without adequate public disclosure. He demanded that information about the criteria used to select trust members and the discussions preceding their appointment be made available.

He also questioned the silence of the prime minister and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the alleged theft, arguing that both leaders had been publicly associated with the temple’s development and inauguration-related events.

Turning to the state government’s response, Ramesh referred to Adityanath’s statement in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly that an SIT had been constituted following a request from the temple trust.

He questioned the credibility and transparency of the initial investigation, asking whether its findings had been submitted to the same trust whose office-bearers were facing allegations. If the report had been shared with trust representatives, he argued, the public should also be allowed access to it.

The Congress leader demanded clarity on why the findings had not been disclosed and whether investigators had independently examined the allegations against people occupying senior positions in the temple administration.

He also questioned what he described as the concentration of responsibility among individuals allegedly connected with the BJP, RSS and VHP. The party said the investigation must establish the facts through documentary evidence, financial records and examination of all relevant individuals, rather than focusing exclusively on lower-level employees.

Reiterating the party’s position, Ramesh said the investigation should cover the complete chain of responsibility, from the collection of donations to their counting, accounting, transfer and deposit in banks.

The Congress demanded that the trust publish a comprehensive statement of donations and offerings received in the name of Lord Ram, along with records explaining how the funds were handled.

It also called for the investigation to be widened and every person found guilty to face action under the law.

The party maintained that holding a position in the trust, having access to its administration or enjoying organisational support should not provide protection from scrutiny.