The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday defended senior functionaries of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, stating that the Trust itself had sought a fair investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The RSS affiliate asserted that the Trust conducted an internal inquiry and requested the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Trust Initiated Internal Probe and SIT Formation
In a video post on X, VHP international president Alok Kumar detailed the sequence of events. He said that after the case came to light, Trust members conducted an internal probe, identified culprits, and recovered Rs 80 lakh. Immediately after this, the Trust approached the Uttar Pradesh chief minister and urged the constitution of an SIT. Kumar emphasized that the Trust lodged the first FIR only after receiving the SIT's preliminary report.
Resignations to Ensure Fair Probe
Kumar explained that Champat Rai and Anil Mishra voluntarily resigned from their posts on June 27, two days after the FIR was registered, to facilitate an impartial investigation. He stated, "When the issue was raised that if Champat Rai ji continued in his post, he might tamper with evidence or influence witnesses and obstruct the investigation, both Champat Rai ji and Anil Mishra ji immediately tendered their resignations." Rai, the Trust's general secretary, and Mishra, a member, stepped aside to ensure a completely fair and independent inquiry.
Arrests Made Following FIR
After the FIR was filed, eight individuals were arrested: Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav. Kumar noted that the FIR was based on the Trust's formal complaint, leading to the immediate arrest of those involved in handling and counting temple offerings.
VHP Criticizes Opposition Leaders
The VHP also took aim at opposition leaders, including AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that unlike Rai and Mishra, they did not resign from public office despite facing corruption allegations. Kumar contrasted their conduct, saying, "When Kejriwal ji was the chief minister and allegations of corruption were levelled against him, he was arrested and his bail application was rejected. Kejriwal ji said 'he would run the government from jail as the CM', but he did not tender his resignation." He also referenced former prime ministers P V Narasimha Rao and Rajiv Gandhi, as well as Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, who are facing charges in the National Herald case, stating they too did not resign.
Trust Demands Comprehensive Investigation
Kumar reiterated that the Trust itself demanded a thorough investigation from every angle. "The Trust itself demanded that the matter be investigated from every angle and that all allegations be thoroughly examined," he said. He welcomed the inquiry, stating that the VHP and the Trust wanted the truth to emerge. The Trust is making all efforts to ensure a proper and fair probe into the allegations is conducted at the earliest.
