The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has urged the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya to question several Opposition leaders over their public statements on the controversy.
In a letter addressed to Ayodhya Deputy Superintendent of Police and investigating officer Ashutosh Tiwari, VHP international president Alok Kumar requested that Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav be summoned to explain the basis of their allegations.
VHP Says Leaders Should Provide Evidence
Kumar said the Opposition leaders had publicly cited specific figures regarding the alleged theft of cash and valuables from the Ram Temple, suggesting they may possess information useful to the investigation.
“It would be appropriate to require the attendance of the aforesaid persons so that they may disclose the factual basis of the allegations made by them, the source of their information and all documents or other material supporting such allegations,” the letter stated.
The VHP added that if the leaders possess credible evidence, it could help investigators uncover the truth. However, if the allegations were found to be “knowingly false or reckless” and made without supporting material, the investigating agency should consider action as permitted under law.
Opposition Leaders’ Statements Cited
The letter referred to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s remarks questioning whether junior employees alone could have disabled CCTV cameras and manipulated temple donations allegedly worth thousands of crores without the involvement of influential individuals.
It also cited Arvind Kejriwal’s claim that around ₹200 crore in cash, along with Lord Ram’s garland, charan padukas and diamonds, had been stolen from the temple.
According to the VHP, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav alleged a ₹20,000-crore scam involving influential people, while AAP MP Sanjay Singh claimed that over ₹200 crore worth of cash and valuables had been stolen and that more than 50 employees were involved.
SIT Expands Investigation
Meanwhile, the SIT has reportedly widened its investigation to trace the alleged misappropriated funds. Police are searching locations linked to the eight arrested accused to identify movable and immovable assets allegedly purchased using the money.
A police officer associated with the investigation said, “The involvement of the accused persons has been established, but the whereabouts of the money allegedly swindled is yet to be traced.”
Eight people associated with counting donations at the Ram Temple have already been arrested in connection with the case.
CPI(M) Seeks RTI Coverage for Ram Temple Trust
Amid the controversy, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking to bring the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Brittas argued that bringing the trust under the RTI Act would improve transparency and public accountability in its functioning.
Congress Responds to VHP Letter
Reacting to the VHP’s demand, Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned why the organisation was asking Opposition leaders for proof instead of those associated with the temple trust.
“How can the Sangh ask Opposition leaders for proof when the alleged theft has taken place under their watch?” Khera said.
He also questioned whether the SIT would similarly summon VHP leaders, BJP leaders and members of the Ram Temple construction committee who had also publicly raised concerns regarding the alleged donation theft.
