Ram Temple Trust Office In-charge blames SBI for embezzlement row

Ayodhya: As the row over the alleged embezzlement of funds and donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya intensifies, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s Office In-charge Prakash Gupta on Thursday accused the workers brought by State Bank of India (SBI) for counting process at the temple trust, for the purported “theft” of offerings.

Talking to IANS, Gupta said: “SBI was responsible for counting (of donations). It brought people who were assigned the task because there was an agreement between SBI and the Temple Trust.”

Mentioning that one member of the temple trust used to supervise the counting process, the temple trust’s Office In-charge noted: “That person was not aware about such thefts taking place.”

“Anybody can put allegations against anyone. Those who have been against the Trust or have opposing mindset can place allegations. But the Trust does not have anything to do with it. The SBI was responsible,” he said.

Gupta alleged: Workers brought by the SBI, who were tasked with the counting process, might been involved in the misappropriation of donations and funds.”

“It has got nothing to do with the Trust or its members,” he reiterated.

Regarding the eight accused arrested in connection with the temple embezzlement row, Gupta said: “These were the people involved in the counting process. Tinnu Yadav was responsible to conduct the process. Also, he used to look after the maintenance responsibilities within the campus of the Trust because everyone was not allowed inside the premises.”

“Since he (Tinnu Yadav) was working for a long time there, he was tasked with overseeing VIP darshan of guests and other things,” he added.

Gupta has urged for a fair and thorough probe into the matter.

Earlier, Dharm Sena Bharat chief and former karsevak Santosh Dubey on Thursday alleged that gold and silver ornaments and other precious offerings made at the Ram Temple but were reportedly missing now were traded in shops within Ayodhya and that Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s former General Secretary Champat Rai was aware of it.

Speaking to IANS, Dubey urged the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to immediately remove the current officers of Ram Janmbhoomi Police Station because otherwise “investigation will be hampered”.

IANS