Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut has called for an investigation into the alleged disappearance of a 4-kilogram silver brick, donated by the party for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Raut also stated that the party has not received any official receipt for a Rs 1 crore donation made towards the temple project, amid an ongoing controversy surrounding the temple’s funds.
Donation Discrepancies Emerge Amid FIR Filing
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Mr. Raut made these assertions on Friday, coinciding with the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against eight individuals concerning allegations of misappropriating funds donated for the Ram Mandir. Raut alleged that individuals central to the alleged irregularities continue to hold influential positions within the Ram Mandir Trust.
The Shiv Sena leader further claimed that a significant sum of Rs 2,000 crore, allegedly siphoned from Ram Mandir Trust funds, was diverted to facilitate political defections within parties such as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Shiv Sena (UBT). He was quoted by a local daily as saying, “The main culprits are still working in the Trust. Those who consider themselves ‘Hindutvawadi’ steal crores of money from the temple, and this money enters politics, where you use it to buy MPs and split political parties. You used Rs 2,000 crore stolen from Ram Mandir to split MPs of TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT).”
Claims of Missing Donations and Political Ramifications
Sharing his concerns on the social media platform X, Mr. Raut detailed that party chief Uddhav Thackeray had contributed Rs 1 crore, in addition to the silver brick, during the construction phase of the temple. He noted that party workers and religious figures were present when the donation was made. “Uddhav Thackeray ji had generously contributed Rs 1 crore in the presence of thousands of Shiv Sainiks & saints. Yet, years later, no receipt or update from the Trust. Where has it gone? Time for full investigation & accountability!” he posted.
The current controversy appears to stem from allegations previously raised by Pawan Pandey, a former Samajwadi Party MLA from Ayodhya. Pandey had asserted that donations amounting to approximately Rs 7 crore to Rs 7.5 crore, intended for the Ram Mandir, were allegedly misappropriated.
Formal Action Initiated Over Alleged Embezzlement
Mr. Raut had previously voiced strong criticism against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the donation controversy. He had expressed doubt that any action would be taken against those implicated in the alleged scam.
In response to the developing situation, an FIR was officially lodged on Thursday. The case relates to the alleged embezzlement of funds collected for the Ram Temple project. The Uttar Pradesh government has directed the registration of the FIR under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to criminal misconduct and breach of trust. The specific sections cited include 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61, and 3(5) of the BNS.
The Chenab Times News Desk