Ayodhya: As the Special Investigation Team (SIT) pursues a probe into alleged misuse of Ram Mandir donations, former litigant for Ram Lalla Mahant Dharmdas on Friday urged the dissolution of the Ram Janmabhoomi trust and called for all donated assets to be transferred into the name of the deity.
Speaking to ANI, Mahant Dharmdas said the extension of the probe by 15 days was justified and expressed faith in the investigating team. “The investigation the SIT is conducting will take time. This is no trivial matter. The Ram Janmabhoomi issue is a matter of faith. It is the SIT’s job to ensure that whoever is responsible for such acts is brought to justice. We have faith that the SIT will conduct an impartial investigation,” he said, adding that those responsible should be held accountable.
Situation Serious
He described the situation as serious and tied to the sentiments of millions of devotees, noting that the SIT’s work would require careful inquiry.
Dharmdas also voiced trust in the state administration, pointing to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s familiarity with temple affairs as reassuring. “CM Yogi Adityanath is in charge, and he understands how temples and ashrams operate. Extending the SIT’s investigation period by 15 days is an excellent move. If the police are determined to get the facts, they have different methods to make a person speak. If the money belongs to the Deity, the assets should be in the Deity’s name. Instead, the trust has registered everything in its own name. I want the trust to be dissolved, and all the assets offered to the Deity to be registered in the Deity’s name…” Mahant Dharmdas said.
Impact On Devotees
The controversy erupted after an FIR filed on June 25 alleged embezzlement of donations made to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The trust has asserted its commitment to a fair probe and to safeguarding devotees’ faith while investigations continue.
Another prominent cleric, Mahant Sitaram Das Ji Maharaj, described the allegations as deeply injurious to devotees’ sentiments and charged that hostile elements were exploiting the situation.
“The alleged theft of donations from the temple has deeply wounded the sentiments and souls of the entire community…the active involvement of anti-Ram, anti-country, and anti-national elements in this matter is also regrettable…who likened Sanatan Dharma to diseases like Dengue, Malaria, or AIDS are the ones who have now united to strike a blow against Lord Ram and Sanatan Dharma…an SIT is investigating the matter, the truth will be fully revealed, and not a single guilty person will be spared,” he told ANI.
Police Action
Meanwhile, authorities impounded a car linked to accused Avinash Shukla. The vehicle was recovered from Kaushalpuri Colony and held at Ram Janmabhoomi Police Station; Shukla was remanded to Ayodhya District Jail on Friday night. The SIT’s timeframe has been extended by 15 days to broaden the inquiry and ensure no culpable party is overlooked.
