Jai Ram Ramesh questions Ayodhya temple theft investigation: Why were the security personnel not made accused?

Congress General Secretary and Communications In-charge J. Ram Ramesh has questioned the investigation into the alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, asking why those responsible for overseeing the temple's administration have not been made accused, even though 105 alleged theft incidents have been captured on CCTV.

In a post on the social media platform X titled "Donation Theft, Faith Betrayal," Mr. Ramesh alleged that the central government of Narendra Modi is showing unusual leniency in this matter, while central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation are being used aggressively against opposition leaders. Mr. Ramesh asked why the Modi government is being so lenient towards those stealing offerings from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

He claimed that CCTV footage has revealed 105 alleged theft incidents and questioned why the investigation has not reached those responsible for the temple's administration, who are suspected of providing protection to the accused.

Mr. Ramesh also raised the question of why only 79.85 lakh rupees have been allegedly recovered in these cases. He asked why there is an attempt to close the case after only 79.85 lakh rupees were recovered in comparison to the 105 theft incidents.

The Congress leader specifically questioned the status of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, asking why they were made witnesses instead of accused. He asked, "Why are Champat Rai and Anil Mishra not accused and how are they witnesses?"

Ramesh also questioned the alleged 21-day gap between the discovery of the theft and the filing of the First Information Report (FIR). According to him, the video of the stolen amount reached Champat Rai on June 4, the CCTV footage was viewed on June 5, while the FIR was filed on June 25.

He asked why the full truth behind this 21-day delay has not been placed before the country.

The Congress leader stated that the scale of the alleged theft raises the question of whether 105 incidents could have continued without high-level collusion, negligence, or protection. He asked how there can be only 8 accused despite 105 incidents.

He said that the investigation should not be limited to identifying those allegedly involved in individual thefts, but the accountability of those under whose supervision these incidents allegedly occurred must also be established. Ramesh asked, "Was the purpose of the investigation only to catch small-scale offering thieves, or was it to establish the accountability of those under whose patronage and supervision all this allegedly continued?" Mr. Ramesh reiterated that Congress has demanded an independent, impartial, and credible investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court from the beginning.

He stated that the offerings were given in the name of Ram. He said that if the investigation has not been able to determine the total amount allegedly stolen despite 105 incidents, there is no reason to close the investigation quickly.

He also raised the question of whether the government truly wants to identify all those responsible for the alleged theft or wants to close the case before the investigation reaches those with greater responsibility. Mr. Ramesh asked, "When will the Prime Minister break his silence on this matter related to the faith of the country's people?" He warned that the arrogance of power is self-destructive and demanded accountability in the matter of the alleged theft of offerings.