Amid the Ram Mandir donation theft case, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, July 2, demanding an immediate Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the matter.
In his letter, Venugopal described the alleged fraud as the “Chanda Chori mega scandal”, claiming it involved “hundreds of crores” and amounted to a “monumental betrayal” of the Hindu faith, religion, and way of life.
He also questioned the credibility of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government, alleging that it appeared to be little more than an “eyewash”.
Congress seeks Supreme Court-monitored probe
The Congress leader alleged that there was growing concern that the ongoing investigation was being used to erase crucial evidence while protecting the “big fish” behind the alleged multi-crore embezzlement.
“Lord Ram is revered as the embodiment of justice and righteousness. Allowing allegations of this nature to be buried, rather than impartially investigated, would be a profound injustice to his devotees and to the values he embodies,” Venugopal said.
“I am writing to you to express the deep anguish and outrage of millions of Indians regarding the shocking revelations of massive financial fraud, theft, and embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya."
Venugopal further wrote, “The offerings made by ordinary citizens – who contributed their hard-earned life savings out of profound faith and reverence for Lord Ram – have been shamelessly looted, striking at the very sanctity of a place held sacred by millions,” he said.
"Right under the nose" of the Trust: Venugopal
Venugopal alleged that the preliminary investigation had uncovered a highly organised racket operating “right under the nose” of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. According to him, the “systemic lapses at every level” indicated that the alleged embezzlement was enabled through institutional support.
“On one hand, the counting staff bypassed regular surveillance to syphon off bundles of cash and valuable jewellery on a daily basis; on the other, 7 to 8 months of crucial CCTV footage were deliberately destroyed to cover the tracks of this criminal enterprise. This clearly indicates that this loot goes beyond the work of a few rogue employees and is a scam orchestrated with the complicity of the higher-ups instead,” he alleged.
The Congress leader further claimed that complaints of embezzlement and theft were either ignored or actively suppressed.
“Simultaneously, we are learning that complaints of embezzlement and theft were either ignored or actively suppressed.
Venugopal questioned why only the “small fish” - drivers, clerks, and outsourced cashiers - had been arrested so far, while those allegedly responsible at higher levels remained untouched.
“A state-appointed SIT is neither equipped nor institutionally independent to investigate individuals wielding immense political and institutional influence," he said.
"The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government on June 13, followed by the registration of an FIR on June 25, appears to be nothing more than a sham."
Venugopal further wrote to the Prime Minister, 'The SIT formed by the state is neither capable nor institutionally independent enough to investigate people who have immense political and institutional influence.'
Calling for accountability, Venugopal wrote, “The highest level of accountability for this scandal must be fixed because the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is a public trust established by the Government of India in 2020. Its creation itself occurred under the direct supervision of the government, and the land was given to the trust in accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision.”
Venugopal further wrote in the letter, 'Therefore, it is the moral responsibility of the government and you as its head to restore the confidence of more than 1.4 billion Indians in the government's intention and ability to safeguard donations and maintain the sanctity of donations.'