Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress amid ongoing probes by Ayodhya Police and a state government-formed Special Investigation Team into the theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The Ram Temple donation theft investigation has intensified after the SIT report, with RMO Arjun Dev transferred after 17 years, eight accused sent to judicial custody and nearly 70 people now under investigation.
The Faizabad Bar Association has resolved not to defend the eight accused in the Ram Temple donation theft case and warned of a Rs 5 lakh penalty for violators. The police investigation continues with fresh statements and searches.
The Supreme Court has refused an urgent hearing on a plea seeking a court-monitored CBI-led SIT probe into the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case. The matter will now be heard by a regular Bench after the court vacations.
The Ram Temple donation theft investigation has intensified, with Ayodhya Police likely to issue notices to Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and others. Statements, raids and fresh evidence have pushed the probe into a crucial phase.
Champat Rai is alleged to have delegated the donation counting and surveillance responsibilities at the temple to others and ignored multiple complaints about alleged theft. Those accused in the case are said to be his close associates or people appointed on his recommendation.
The prosecution officer said five to six of the arrested persons were bank employees who were deployed for counting cash donations received at the temple and were drawing salaries from the bank.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and member trustee Anil Mishra have resigned, taking moral responsibility in connection with the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case.
While probing the matter, the SIT has found major lapses in the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case. Officials have also arrested eight accused, including Champat Rai's key aide Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav.
The developments come after the Special Investigation Team probing the Ram Temple donation theft found an organised network enabling embezzlement and misappropriation of funds and the reverred Hindu shrine. The SIT has also arrested 8 people in this connection.
In his remarks during an event in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has warned the opposition against politicising the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case and promised appropriate action in the matter, saying the guilty won't be spared.
The SIT probing the Ram Temple donation theft has found a shocking, organised pattern of money embezzlement and siphoning of donations at the shrine. From deliberate miscounting of notes to misappropriation of valuables offered, several revelations have come to light in the case.
