Ayodhya, Jun 18 (PTI) The SIT probing the alleged embezzlement of funds at the Ram temple on Thursday questioned Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Dr Anil Mishra about the counting of donated money and appointments of employees linked to the process, sources said.
The three-member special investigation team reached the Ram Temple complex at around 8.30 am on Thursday and continued its investigation for the fourth consecutive day.
According to sources, Mishra was questioned about the system for counting offerings and the recruitment of personnel associated with the exercise.
On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted an SIT following a request from the temple trust to probe allegations of misappropriation of donation money.
The SIT comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan.
The probe follows allegations raised by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, who on June 7 cited reports claiming that crores of rupees from donations offered at the Ram Temple were missing and urged the courts to take cognisance of the matter.
On Thursday, Yadav on X said Ayodhya would prove to be a “Kurukshetra” for those responsible for wrongdoing.
He said the controversy had hurt local businesses and livelihoods dependent on temple tourism and accused the BJP government of being opaque about the investigation.
Yadav demanded daily briefings on the SIT investigation, alleging that public trust in the agency had been eroded due to what he described as “widespread corruption under the BJP government.” The fund embezzlement row has triggered political sparring between the ruling BJP and the opposition parties.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to visit the Ram Temple on Friday. PTI COR CDN VN VN
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.