Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai on Thursday demanded a high court-monitored probe into alleged irregularities related to financial transactions connected with the Ram temple and questioned the credibility of the ongoing SIT probe.
Rai, who visited Ayodhya during the day, offered prayers at Hanumangarhi and the Ram Janmabhoomi temple before addressing party workers. He claimed that questions relating to donations collected during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, land transactions linked to the temple project and the management of offerings made by devotees deserve a transparent inquiry.
Rai alleged that the SIT lacked credibility, and the investigation should instead be conducted under the supervision of a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court. He demanded that an FIR be lodged against those found responsible.
The Congress leader also alleged that the BJP government was attempting to suppress questions surrounding the issue instead of providing clear answers. He claimed that accountability should be fixed at the highest levels, given the significance of the Ram temple for devotees in India and abroad.
Rai told party supporters that the political atmosphere in the state was changing and expressed confidence about the Congress’s prospects in the coming years. The BJP did not respond to Rai’s allegations till the filing of this report.
