Ayodhya donation theft case: Jairam Ramesh questions SIT probe, seeks accountability of Temple Trust functionaries

New Delhi, Sep 26 : Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh has questioned the findings and scope of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of devotees' offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and sought accountability of those responsible for supervising the temple's donation-counting system.

In a post on social media platform X on Saturday, Ramesh wrote, "Chanda chori, aastha dhokha" (donation theft, betrayal of faith), while reiterating the Congress' earlier reservations over whether a government-appointed SIT could command public confidence.

His remarks came after the SIT filed a chargesheet against eight accused in the case.

According to details of the investigation cited in reports on the chargesheet placed before the Supreme Court, the SIT identified 105 instances of alleged unauthorised removal of cash during the temple's donation-counting process.

Ramesh particularly questioned the delay between the alleged discovery of the cash and registration of the FIR. Citing details from the chargesheet, he said a video showing Rs 2.25 lakh allegedly found in a bathroom was sent to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust functionary Champat Rai on June 4, while CCTV footage was shown to him on June 5. The FIR was registered on June 25.

"When CCTV, recovery and identification of the suspected employees had already come to light, why was there such a delay in initiating criminal action?" Ramesh asked.

He also questioned whether the investigation had adequately examined the role of senior Trust functionaries. Ramesh pointed out that Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao had not been made accused, while Rai and Mishra were listed as prosecution witnesses in the chargesheet.

"Then why were Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao not made accused? Why are they witnesses?" he asked.

Ramesh said the chargesheet records 105 incidents of alleged removal of donation money captured on CCTV, including one accused allegedly being seen removing money on 85 occasions. He questioned whether the investigation had examined the entire chain of supervision and management rather than being limited to the eight accused.

"Can the complete truth about the theft of donations emerge without investigating the role of those responsible for supervision and management of the system?" he asked.

He further questioned the scope of the investigation, referring to the examination of CCTV footage, thousands of digital messages, bank accounts, properties, mobile-phone data and other documentary and electronic evidence.

"When 70 to 105 incidents came to light, thousands of digital messages were examined, and bank accounts and properties were investigated, why was the investigation limited to only eight accused?" Ramesh said.

He also alleged that the case could have links with the "top leadership of the BJP-RSS", but did not provide evidence for the claim. Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, "Prime Minister ji, break your silence, otherwise it means that the thieves have your protection."

The case relates to allegations of unauthorised removal and misappropriation of offerings made by devotees at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple. The FIR was registered at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station on June 25 against eight named persons following a preliminary SIT inquiry.

The subsequent investigation examined CCTV footage, financial records, mobile-phone data, searches, recoveries and forensic evidence.

Ramesh said the matter concerned the faith of devotees and should not be considered closed until responsibility was established across the system. He called for an "impartial and transparent investigation" under the supervision of the Supreme Court.

I’ve kept the political allegations attributed to Ramesh rather than presenting them as established facts, and tightened the repetition for a wire-service style.