Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 25 (HBTV): A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The case has been filed under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5), on the directions of the Uttar Pradesh government.
Those named in the FIR include Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav, Manish Yadav and others.
The development follows allegations by former Samajwadi Party MLA from Ayodhya, Pawan Pandey, who claimed that between INR 7 crore and INR 7.5 crore in donations meant for the Ram Mandir had been misappropriated.
Following the allegations, the state government on June 14 constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged scam involving offerings made at the Ram Mandir, after a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Trust.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday criticised the SIT, describing it as a 'fraud' and a 'cover-up' intended to shield influential individuals.
Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Kejriwal claimed the SIT lacked the authority to conduct a genuine investigation.
'This SIT has no power to investigate, so this SIT is just a fraud in the eyes of the people. It is a cover-up of the entire matter, and the SIT's only job is to protect influential people,' he said.
Meanwhile, a fresh petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored investigation into the allegations.
The petition seeks the registration of an FIR and the constitution of a Special Investigation Team under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the alleged missing funds, financial irregularities, mismanagement and other alleged illegalities concerning the affairs and administration of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
(ANI)