New Delhi: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has intensified his attack over the ongoing controversy surrounding donations made to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, alleging that a silver brick donated by his party has gone missing and demanding a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Addressing reporters, Raut claimed that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had contributed ₹1 crore towards the construction of the temple along with a four-kilogram silver brick during the fundraising campaign. However, he alleged that neither the party received an official receipt for the monetary contribution nor any information regarding the donated silver brick.
Calling for transparency, Raut questioned the management of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and urged authorities to disclose complete records of contributions made by individuals and organisations during the temple’s construction.
The remarks come days after an FIR was registered in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations collected at the Ram Mandir. Raut alleged that the action taken so far was insufficient and claimed that those occupying influential positions within the Trust had escaped accountability.
Escalating his criticism, the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP also alleged that money linked to the alleged financial irregularities was used for political purposes, including engineering defections in opposition parties. He, however, did not provide evidence to support the claim.
Raut reiterated that a fair and independent investigation was necessary to establish whether donations offered by devotees had been handled properly. He maintained that people who contributed to the temple project deserved complete transparency regarding the utilisation of funds.
The controversy over temple donations has gathered momentum following allegations of financial irregularities, prompting the registration of a criminal case under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The investigation is currently underway, and authorities have not commented on the latest allegations regarding the missing silver brick or the ₹1 crore donation.
