Amid the controversy over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Alok Kumar has said the organisation had no role in the temple’s administration and was unaware of the alleged irregularities, while stating that its international vice president, Champat Rai, may be “guilty of negligence” but should not be judged before the investigation is completed.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Kumar said the VHP would wait for the outcome of the ongoing probe before deciding whether any action should be taken against Rai, who recently stepped down as the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following the Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry.
Kumar clarified that the construction and administration of the Ram Temple are the responsibility of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and not the VHP. He also pointed out that the VHP had not nominated Rai to the post of the Trust’s general secretary.
Addressing questions over Rai’s role in the controversy, Kumar said he could possibly be held responsible for negligence but stressed that no allegations had been directly made against him so far.
“You want me to dismiss him today without the result of the investigation, but no one has accused Rai yet. The allegations are against his driver,” Kumar told Hindustan Times.
He further claimed that Rai’s driver, who has been arrested in connection with the case, allegedly had access to the keys of the temple’s strong room and that cash was recovered from him during the investigation.
The VHP chief reiterated the organisation’s demand for a comprehensive and impartial investigation to identify everyone involved in the alleged theft of donations.
So far, eight accused have been arrested in the case, while the investigation team continues to probe the alleged misappropriation of temple donations and the roles of those connected to the donation management process.
