‘₹2000 stolen from Ram Mandir used to divide TMC, Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs’: Sanjay Raut claims big amid donation row | Today’s news
This was claimed by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday ₹2,000 crore was siphoned off from the Ram Mandir Trust and used to orchestrate political splits in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Shiv Sena (UBT).
Responding to the FIR filed against eight people in the alleged misappropriation of donations meant for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Raut claimed that the prime accused continued to hold positions in the Trust.
“The main culprits are still working in the Trust. Those who consider themselves ‘Hindutvawadi’ steal crores of rupees from the temple and this money enters politics where you use it to buy MPs and divide political parties. You have used ₹2,000 crore stolen from Ram Mandir to divide TMC MPs Shiv Sena (UBT),” Raut said at a press conference, according to ANI.
Raut demands probe into ‘missing’ 4kg silver brick donated by Shiv Sena chief (UBT) for Ram Mandir
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Sanjay Raut alleged that ₹2,000 crore was siphoned off from the Ram Mandir Trust and used to orchestrate political splits in parties like TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT).
Raut had asked for an inquiry over concerns over the disappearance of a 4kg silver ingot, which he claimed had been donated by Uddhav Thackeray, pointing to a lack of accountability and updates from the Trust.
The Uttar Pradesh government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged embezzlement following claims of embezzled donations linked to the Ram Mandir.
There is a call for accountability within the Ram Mandir Trust, especially regarding the missing donations and the management of the funds used to build the temple.
The probe includes an SIT looking into allegations of embezzlement and inflated land deals, as well as a petition seeking a court-monitored probe into the Trust’s financial activities.
In the wake of irregularities related to donations to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Raut on Friday sought an inquiry into the reported disappearance of a 4kg silver ingot donated by his party and called for those responsible in the trust to be held accountable.
Sharing the post on X, Raut said that Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray had donated ₹1 crore along with silver bricks during the construction of the temple, with party workers and saints present at the time of the contribution.
Read also | Ram Mandir Donation Row: FIR filed in ‘donation theft’ case; appointed money processors
“Serious questions about missing 4kg silver bricks donated by Shiv Sena for construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Uddhav Thackeray generously donated it ₹1 crore of this sacred silver brick in the presence of thousands of Shiv Sainiks and saints. Yet years later no confirmation or update from the Trust. where did it go? Time for a full investigation and accountability!,” the post read.
The remarks came after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered on alleged misappropriation of donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Read also | AAP attacks UP government over SIT probing Ram Mandir donation theft allegations
The FIR was registered under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5), as directed by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Those named in the FIR include Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav, Manish Yadav and others.
The case stems from allegations by former Samajwadi Party MLA from Ayodhya, Pawan Pandey, who alleged that donations worth between ₹7 million and ₹7.5 crore meant for Ram Mandir was embezzled.
Read also | Ram Mandir donation row: VHP demands FIR, speedy probe into ’embezzlement’
Following these allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government on June 14 set up a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged scam after receiving a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Separately, a new lawsuit has been brought to the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored investigation into the matter.
The petition calls for registration of an FIR and setting up of a CBI-led SIT to investigate the alleged disappearance of funds, financial irregularities and other alleged illegalities in the functioning and management of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
(With agency input)
