Congress seeks forensic audit into Ram Temple donation theft, demands accountability

The Congress on Saturday demanded a forensic audit into the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, alleging that the reported incidents point to a larger systemic failure and calling for accountability at the highest level of the temple’s management.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Congress Working Committee member and Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the alleged theft was not an isolated incident but reflected serious lapses in the handling of devotees’ donations.

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He claimed that the alleged irregularities had undermined the trust of millions of devotees and called for an independent forensic audit, describing the reported incidents as “the tip of the iceberg.”

Referring to the ongoing investigation, Singhvi questioned why senior office-bearers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had not been named in the preliminary findings while several lower-level employees had been arrested. He also raised questions about the implementation of security protocols governing the counting and handling of donations.

The Congress leader sought answers from the Centre on whether a wider investigation would be conducted, why senior officials had not faced action, and when Prime Minister Narendra Modi would respond to the issue.

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav said the Ram Temple represents the faith of millions of devotees and asserted that any alleged misuse of temple donations should be investigated transparently. He urged the Prime Minister to address the issue and called for a thorough probe into the alleged theft.

Congress leader Anil Bhardwaj alleged that the investigation was focusing on lower-level employees while those responsible at higher levels had not been held accountable.

The allegations were made during a Congress press conference. The temple trust and the Central Government have not responded to the specific claims made by the party. The matter is currently under investigation, and no findings have yet been reached regarding the allegations raised by the Congress.