Chief Minister Arrives in Ayodhya, Trust Secretary Sidelined
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has arrived in Ayodhya at a time when the Ram Mandir Trust is at the centre of a controversy involving the alleged theft of offerings worth crores of rupees. During the visit, the CM attended several programs and offered prayers at both Hanumangarhi and the Ramlala shrine. A significant detail surrounding this visit is that Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Ram Mandir Trust, was asked to stay away from all programs organized for the Chief Minister.
SIT Works Through Fourth Straight Day, From 10 AM to Late Night
The Special Investigation Team completed its fourth consecutive day of inquiry on Thursday, with investigators on the ground from 10 AM right through to late in the night. Sources indicate the SIT has come across a range of serious discrepancies within the Trust's records, including significant irregularities in the documentation of cash donations.
Stolen Offerings Include Diamonds, Gold, and Silver Jewelry
The scope of the alleged theft has turned out to be far wider than initially assumed. Beyond the missing cash, the SIT's ongoing examination has brought to light that diamonds, gold jewelry, and silver ornaments offered by devotees have also been misappropriated. Trust officials, when put through questioning, were unable to offer any satisfactory or coherent responses to the investigators' queries.
Champat Rai and Anil Mishra Face Lengthy Questioning Sessions
Thursday saw the SIT conduct an extended interrogation of Trust official Anil Mishra, who had made the journey from Kerala to Ayodhya specifically in connection with this probe. Trust General Secretary Champat Rai was also questioned at length on the same day. Both figures reportedly failed to give investigators the answers they were looking for.
Land Purchases Since 2021 Now Set to Come Under the Scanner
The SIT's investigation is preparing to expand its reach considerably. According to sources, the team is now set to examine land acquisitions made by the Trust starting from the year 2021. All documents related to properties purchased using donation funds will also be scrutinized as part of this widened probe. This development signals that the full scale of alleged financial wrongdoing at the Trust may still be far from established.
