The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating alleged embezzlement of donation funds at the Ram Temple questioned Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Dr Anil Mishra on Thursday. Sources confirmed that investigators focused on the counting of offerings and the appointment of personnel involved in the process.
SIT Continues Inquiry for Fourth Day
The three-member SIT arrived at the Ram Temple complex at approximately 8:30 am and continued its inquiry for the fourth consecutive day. According to sources cited by news agency PTI, Mishra was questioned about the procedures followed for counting donations and the recruitment of staff tasked with handling the offerings.
Chief Minister's Visit Scheduled
The questioning comes ahead of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's scheduled visit to the Ram Temple on Friday. As per the minute-to-minute itinerary issued by Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi, temple trust general secretary Champat Rai has been directed to nominate an individual to oversee arrangements for the chief minister's darshan and pujan.
Champat Rai's Role Under Scrutiny
This development follows Rai's appearance before the SIT on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation into the donation controversy. Rai has traditionally accompanied prominent visitors during major visits to the temple but has largely refrained from making public comments since the allegations surfaced. Apart from a statement issued a day after the controversy broke, in which he said internal audits were being conducted and that no evidence supporting the allegations had been found, the trust functionary has maintained silence on the issue.
SIT Formation and Composition
The Uttar Pradesh government constituted the SIT on June 13 after the temple trust sought an investigation into allegations that donation funds had been misappropriated. The panel comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S, and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan.
Political Controversy Intensifies
The controversy stems from allegations raised by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on June 7. Referring to media reports claiming that crores of rupees from temple donations were unaccounted for, Yadav urged the courts to take cognisance of the matter. On Thursday, Yadav posted on X that Ayodhya would become a "Kurukshetra" for those allegedly involved in wrongdoing. He also claimed the controversy had adversely affected local businesses and livelihoods dependent on temple tourism, while accusing the BJP government of lacking transparency over the probe. Demanding daily updates on the investigation, Yadav alleged that public confidence in the SIT had weakened because of what he described as "widespread corruption under the BJP government." The alleged donation fund embezzlement has intensified political confrontation between the ruling BJP and opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh.
