The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has officially distanced itself from the actions of Champat Rai, the former general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, as investigations into alleged donation embezzlement at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir intensify. The VHP has also called for a thorough probe into the handling of devotees' offerings, raising questions about the trust's overall functioning.
VHP Clarifies Its Role Amidst Allegations
Speaking to India Today TV, VHP International President Alok Kumar stated that the organization does not accept responsibility for recent decisions made by the Ram temple trust. Kumar clarified that the VHP's involvement in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement concluded once the primary objective of constructing the temple was achieved.
"Our role is over. It is not the job of the VHP in any part of the country to construct temples or to run them. The trust would run them and what happens in the trust would be the responsibility of the trust," Kumar asserted, emphasizing that attempts to extend accountability to the RSS or the government were inappropriate.
He explicitly added, "I am distancing myself with the actions of Shri Champat Rai in his capacity as the General Secretary of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra."
Key Resignations and Widening Probe
Champat Rai, who had a long association with the VHP before assuming his role with the Ram Mandir Trust, resigned from his post on moral grounds. His resignation came amidst escalating allegations of financial irregularities and concerns about the capabilities of senior trust officials. Trustee Anil Mishra also stepped down following preliminary findings from the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Kumar rejected the notion that the VHP should be held directly accountable due to Rai's past association, highlighting that the trust has operated independently since the Supreme Court's verdict paved the way for the temple's construction. He expressed deep regret over the situation, calling it "very disgraceful, very shameful" for Hindus globally, particularly for those who donated funds and the kar sevaks.
SIT Investigation Demands Comprehensive Scrutiny
The VHP president also dismissed arguments that accountability should be limited to the eight individuals arrested so far. He explained that after irregularities were first noted by trustees in early June, they sought to verify facts before filing an FIR or requesting a wider investigation. Subsequently, the trust requested Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to form an SIT.
The FIR in the embezzlement case names Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu as accused, all of whom have been apprehended. Kumar confirmed that Champat Rai offered himself for questioning and stressed that the trust's FIR was not confined to these eight.
"We have asked for a comprehensive investigation which covers everybody, including Champat Ji, including Gopal Ji, including Dr. Anil Mishra. And whosoever is guilty, he should be tried and punished," Kumar stated, anticipating the process to conclude within four to five months.
The SIT probe has broadened into an extensive financial investigation. Police are now seeking five years of banking records linked to trust accounts and those connected to the accused. Investigators are meticulously examining transaction histories, deposit records, CCTV footage, and cash movements to ascertain if donations collected at the temple align with official records.