New Delhi: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday criticised the Uttar Pradesh government over the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case, questioning
the action taken against those accused in the matter. Speaking at a public rally in Bijnor in western Uttar Pradesh, the Hyderabad MP alleged that the police had acted differently because the accused were not Muslims.
During his speech, Owaisi made a sarcastic remark, saying that if a Muslim had been part of the Ram Mandir trust, the government would have carried out an encounter and bulldozed his house by now. He also questioned why the police were not seeking custody of the accused despite the seriousness of the allegations.
Referring to former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai, Owaisi remarked that ‘Champat is enjoying,’ drawing applause from the gathering. He had earlier raised similar questions, asking whether the accused in the case would face the same treatment that, according to him, Muslims often face in Uttar Pradesh.
Donation theft case triggers political row
The alleged theft of Ram Mandir donations has sparked a major political controversy. The issue first gained attention after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the matter publicly, following which the Uttar Pradesh government ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
The investigation has since expanded, with searches carried out at multiple locations, recovery of cash, and questioning of temple staff and bank officials. The case has also prompted demands from political parties for greater transparency and stronger management systems within the temple trust.
Following the controversy, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai stepped down on moral grounds. Trustee Anil Mishra also submitted his resignation.
On June 25, an FIR was registered on the complaint of trust member Krishna Mohan. Eight donation counting staff members were named in the case — Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu. All of them have been arrested, while several unidentified persons have also been named in the FIR.
On June 26, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the state government would follow a zero-tolerance policy against anyone attempting to misuse public trust. While the exact amount allegedly stolen is yet to be officially confirmed, estimates suggest that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore may be missing. Police have so far recovered nearly Rs 80 lakh from the accused.
