Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, questioned the handling of the investigation and accused the government of attempting to shield those involved.
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday stepped up its attack on the BJP over the alleged theft of donations to the Ram temple, demanding an independent investigation into the temple trust’s financial management under Supreme Court supervision.
The party said offerings made by devotees were a matter of faith and not anyone’s “private fiefdom”, and demanded that those responsible be punished.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, questioned the handling of the investigation and accused the government of attempting to shield those involved.
“‘Chanda Chori, Aastha Dhokha’. In its attempt to cover up the theft, the government is now facing questions raised by its own statements. In the Supreme Court, the government has presented facts from its own account that have deepened the questions,” he said.
Ramesh questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were allegedly extending “tacit support to the thieves”.
He said the first three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on June 13 at the trust’s request, submitted its preliminary report on June 23 to then Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, who was reportedly associated with the trust as an ex-officio member.
The report was discussed at a trust meeting on July 6, following which treasurer Govind Dev Giri publicly defended trust officials, including Champat Rai.
Ramesh questioned how the report reached the trust when the role of some of its officials was under investigation. He also raised concerns over a possible conflict of interest.
He said a second SIT, headed by IG Kiran S. and including a forensic auditor, was constituted following the Supreme Court’s intervention on July 27. The government submitted a confidential progress report to the court on August 17.
Ramesh questioned why the first report was shared with the trust while the second remained confidential.
He also asked whether filing a chargesheet against eight persons was sufficient and demanded scrutiny of senior officials, supervisory lapses and the trust’s financial management.
“If a second SIT and a forensic auditor were needed after the Supreme Court’s intervention, why is the Uttar Pradesh government now trying to close the entire matter?” he asked.
Earlier this week, the Congress alleged that the case was being hushed up with the “patronage” of Modi and Adityanath.
