Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 1 : Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday accused the BJP of being involved in the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, coming out in support of UP Congress chief Ajay Rai, who has recently claimed that he was arrested before visiting the temple.
Speaking to ANI, Raut defended Rai's right to raise questions on the issue, stating, "Ajay Rai is the Congress President of Uttar Pradesh and a party worker; he questions the government regarding the issues that arise in people's minds...Crores of rupees were looted from the donation box. Where did it go? Who took it? The Bharatiya Janata Party has engaged in both politics and looting in the name of Ram. Whoever raises their voice gets arrested."
The remarks come amid a political storm in Uttar Pradesh over allegations of embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered on June 25 in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged Ram Mandir donation case has been granted a 15-day extension to complete its investigation. The extension has been given to enable the SIT to widen the scope of its probe and conduct a comprehensive inquiry into all aspects of the case. The investigation will be expanded further to ensure that every angle is thoroughly examined and that no guilty person will be spared.
On Friday, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and member trustee Anil Mishra resigned, taking moral responsibility for the alleged embezzlement of Ram Mandir donations.
Following this, Rai's statement was recorded by police here as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of temple donations, sources said on Monday. Champat Rai has been questioned; statements from other senior Trust office-bearers, including Anil Mishra, will be recorded later if required during the investigation.
The controversy escalated further on June 30, when Ajay Rai alleged that he and other party leaders were arrested by the police while on their way to offer prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, claiming they were being harassed and prevented from visiting the shrine. Rai alleged they were forcibly arrested by the police late Monday night and taken to the guest house of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology.
The case has triggered a massive political slugfest in Uttar Pradesh, with the ruling BJP and Opposition parties trading allegations over the handling of the temple's finances, even as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe continues.