New Delhi: The Congress has questioned the investigation into the alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple, claiming that people who were responsible
for the temple administration were being shielded. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" on the matter and said, "arrogance of power is suicidal". The Congress has specifically raised questions over the 21-day gap between the alleged theft being brought to the notice of former Ram temple trust general secretary Champat Rai and the filing of an FIR. According to Ramesh, a video related to the stolen amount reached Rai on June 4, the CCTV footage was viewed on June 5, but the FIR was registered only on June 25. "Our question is straightforward: a video regarding the stolen amount reached Champat Rai on June 4, the CCTV footage was viewed on June 5, and the FIR was lodged on June 25. Why hasn't the full truth behind this 21-day delay been revealed to the nation?" he said.
चंदा चोरी, आस्था धोखाभगवान श्रीराम के अयोध्या मंदिर के चढ़ावा चोरों पर मोदी सरकार इतनी मेहरबान क्यों है?मोदी जी, विपक्षी नेताओं के खिलाफ तो सरकार ED और CBI का दुरुपयोग भी करने में नहीं झिझकती है, लेकिन अयोध्या के राम मंदिर में 105 बार चढ़ावा चोरी की घटनाएं CCTV में सामने आने के बाद जांच उन लोगों तक क्यों नहीं पहुंची जिन पर व्यवस्था की जिम्मेदारी के बावजूद चढ़ावा चोरों को संरक्षण देने का शक है?105 घटनाओं की चोरी के बदले केवल ₹79.85 लाख की रकम बरामद करके मामला रफ़ा दफ़ा करने का प्रयास क्यों हो रहा है। चंपत राय और अनिल मिश्रा आरोपी क्यों नहीं, गवाह कैसे हैं। आखिर क्यों?हमारा सवाल सीधा और साफ है कि जब 4 जून को चोरी की रकम का वीडियो चंपत राय तक पहुंच गया था, 5 जून को CCTV देख लिया गया और 25 जून को FIR हुई। इन 21 दिनों की देरी का पूरा सच देश के सामने क्यों नहीं रखा गया?यह सवाल इसलिए भी गंभीर है क्योंकि इतनी बड़ी संख्या में घटनाएं बिना उच्च स्तर पर मिलीभगत, लापरवाही या संरक्षण के कैसे संभव है?105 घटनाओं के बावजूद आरोपी आठ कैसे हो सकते हैं?क्या जांच का मकसद सिर्फ छोटे चढ़ावा चोरों को पकड़ना था या उन लोगों की भी जवाबदेही तय करना था जिनकी शह और निगरानी में यह सब होता रहा?इसीलिए कांग्रेस शुरू से ही सुप्रीम कोर्ट की निगरानी में स्वतंत्र, निष्पक्ष और भरोसेमंद जांच की मांग कर रही है।चढ़ावा राम के नाम पर आया था। 105 घटनाओं के बावजूद अगर यह पता ही नहीं चलता कि कुल कितना चढ़ावा चोरी हुआ, तो जांच को समाप्त करने की इतनी जल्दी क्यों?देश को जवाब चाहिए: क्या मोदी सरकार चढ़ावा चोरों तक पहुंचना चाहती है, या उन सवालों को यहीं खत्म करना चाहती है जो बड़े जिम्मेदार लोगों तक पहुंच सकते हैं?प्रधानमंत्री जी, देशवासियों की आस्था से जुड़े इस मामले पर चुप्पी कब टूटेगी? याद रहे, सत्ता का अहंकार आत्मघाती होता है। अब देश जवाब चाहता है कि चढ़ावा चोरी की जवाबदेही कब तय होगी।
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 4, 2026
Congress Questions 105 Theft Cases, 8 Accused
Ramesh claimed CCTV footage showed 105 incidents of donation theft but questioned why only eight people were accused in the case.
"Why are Champat Rai and Anil Mishra treated as witnesses rather than accused? Why so?" Ramesh said.
He also questioned why only Rs 79.85 lakh had been recovered despite the 105 reported incidents and asked whether the investigation was focused only on catching those who allegedly stole the money or also on fixing responsibility among those overseeing the temple administration.
"'Chanda Chori Aastha Dhokha' Why is the Modi government so lenient towards the thieves who stole donations meant for Lord Shri Ram's Ayodhya temple?" Ramesh said in a post in Hindi on X.
"Modi ji, the government does not hesitate to misuse agencies like the ED and CBI against opposition leaders; yet, after CCTV footage revealed 105 incidents of theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, why did the investigation not reach those suspected of shielding the thieves despite being responsible for the temple's administration?" the Congress leader said.
Champat Rai, who was the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and trust member Anil Mishra resigned from their posts in June. The Trust had said a fair inquiry would be conducted into the allegations concerning Ram temple donations.
Ramesh argued that the number of reported incidents raised questions about whether there was negligence, collusion or patronage at higher levels.
"Was the objective of the investigation merely to catch petty thieves, or was it also to fix accountability for those under whose watch and patronage these events transpired," he asked.
Congress Demands Independent Probe
The Congress has been demanding an independent investigation monitored by the Supreme Court, saying it would help establish the facts behind the alleged thefts.
Ramesh also questioned why there was an apparent rush to conclude the investigation when the total amount allegedly stolen had not been fully determined.
"The nation demands an answer: does the Modi government intend to apprehend the actual thieves, or does it wish to bury questions that could implicate powerful, responsible figures?" he said.
He also asked the Prime Minister to respond to the issue.
"Prime Minister, when will you break your silence on this matter, which is deeply linked to the faith of the people? Remember, the arrogance of power is suicidal. Now, the country demands an answer as to when accountability for the theft of donations will be fixed," Ramesh said.
The Congress has also alleged that the Prime Minister's silence suggests the accused "enjoy his protection". It has maintained that only an impartial and transparent investigation under the Supreme Court's supervision can establish the full truth.
