The probe into the alleged donation embezzlement case at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya continued for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrived at the temple at 10 am on Wednesday and was reportedly questioning bank employees responsible for counting the offerings.
Earlier on Tuesday, the SIT conducted an 11-hour investigation inside the temple premises, questioning more than 100 people, including trust officials. The team gathered details about where the offerings are counted, who conducts the counting, and who deposits the amount in the bank. It also collected information about the entire process and the people involved.
The SIT is scheduled to submit its report to the government by next week.
Five individuals have so far been identified in the alleged donation theft case — Lavkush, Avneesh, Anukalp, Karune, and Ramshankar. Their information has reportedly led to the recovery of ₹2 crore and gold. All of them were involved in the donation-counting process.
Meanwhile, the issue has taken a political turn, with BJP and SP leaders attacking each other over the matter.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, at a press conference in Lucknow on Wednesday, said, “For the BJP, religion means money. CCTV footage was not found at places where dishonesty took place during elections. CCTV footage is missing because it would reveal the secret behind the theft of offerings and donations.”
He further said, “We respect all saints and sages. The path of our religion is based on truth and respect for others. That is why the PDA also stands for love, compassion, and a sense of belonging. We will follow the path shown by Lord Ram.”
On Wednesday, SP leader Pawan Pandey also held a press conference in Ayodhya and demanded the dissolution of the Ram Temple trust over the alleged offering theft case. He also demanded that an FIR be registered in the matter.
He asked, “How is the SIT investigating without registering a case?” The SP leader demanded that the Supreme Court conduct an investigation into the entire matter. He also demanded that the accused officials be kept away until the investigation is completed and that their entry into the Ram Temple be completely banned.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak countered the SP leaders, saying, “I want to tell Akhilesh Yadav and all those who are raising questions that an SIT has been constituted. The trust members are responsible and serious people. Action will be taken after the SIT report.”
Talking to reporters in Deoria, Pathak said, “My question to the SP chief is: where did the money go when donations were collected for the construction of the Babri Masjid? I will not question that, but by making such statements about Sanatan culture, they are only practising appeasement politics.”
The issue came to light after SP leader Pawan Pandey, on June 7, alleged that donations worth between ₹5 crore and ₹7.5 crore had been stolen from the Ram Temple. Akhilesh Yadav also said that the government’s silence on the matter was suspicious and demanded a court-monitored investigation. Champat Rai, however, clarified that no such evidence had been found so far.
The controversy escalated after BJP leader Dr Rajneesh Singh wrote to the Prime Minister on June 9, demanding a CBI investigation. The following day, on June 10, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) sought a report from the temple trust.