New Delhi, July 2: Stepping up the attack over the alleged donation embezzlement at Ayodhya’s Ram temple, Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing it as the “Chanda Chori mega scandal” and demanded an immediate Supreme Court-monitored probe.
In his letter, Venugopal questioned the credibility of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government, saying it appeared to be little more than an “eyewash” and alleged that the fraud involved “hundreds of crores” and amounted to a “monumental betrayal” of the Hindu faith, religion and way of life.
“I am writing to you to express the deep anguish and outrage of millions of Indians regarding the shocking revelations of massive financial fraud, theft, and embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The offerings made by ordinary citizens – who contributed their hard-earned life savings out of profound faith and reverence for Lord Ram – have been shamelessly looted, striking at the very sanctity of a place held sacred by millions,” he said.
Alleging that the preliminary investigation had exposed a highly organised racket operating “right under the nose” of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Mr. Venugopal said the “systemic lapses at every level” suggested that the alleged loot had been enabled by institutional support.
“On one hand, the counting staff bypassed regular surveillance to siphon off bundles of cash and valuable jewellery on a daily basis; on the other, 7 to 8 months of crucial CCTV footage was deliberately destroyed to cover the tracks of this criminal enterprise. This clearly indicates that this loot goes beyond the work of a few rogue employees, and is a scam orchestrated with the complicity of the higher-ups instead,” he alleged.
Venugopal further claimed that complaints of embezzlement and theft were either ignored or actively suppressed.
“Simultaneously, we are learning that complaints of embezzlement and theft were either ignored or actively suppressed. The Trust’s former Chief Accounts Officer, who flagged these systematic irregularities as early as 2020-21 and warned that unaccounted gold and silver ornaments were being spirited away, was unceremoniously removed from his duties instead of being heard,” he said.
He also raised questions on the current probe.
Venugopal said, so far only the ‘small fish’ – drivers, clerks, and outsourced cashiers – have been arrested, while the institutional support and chain of command that enabled the brazen loot remain untouched.
“A state-appointed SIT is neither equipped nor institutionally independent to investigate individuals wielding immense political and institutional influence,” he said.
The Congress leader said that “this scandal” warrants the highest level of accountability because the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is a public trust constituted by the Government of India in 2020.
“Its very creation took place under the direct supervision of the Government, and the land was vested in the Trust pursuant to the Supreme Court’s judgment,” he said, adding, “It is, therefore, the moral responsibility of the Government – and of you, as its head – to restore the faith of over 1.4 billion Indians in the Government’s intent and ability to safeguard donations and preserve the sanctity of an institution established in the name of Lord Ram,” he said.
“Therefore, I strongly demand your immediate intervention in this matter to order a free and fair investigation by a high-level independent agency under the strict supervision of the Supreme Court of India,” he demanded.