Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao seeks CBI probe into Ayodhya donations embezzlement case

Senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao demanded a CBI probe into the alleged Ayodhya donations embezzlement case during a silent protest in Bhadrachalam. He alleged misuse of devotees' contributions and urged the Centre to ensure an impartial investigation into the matter

Kothagudem: Even as the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and the UP government on petitions seeking a CBI probe into the Ayodhya donations embezzlement case, senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao demanded that a CBI probe was a must to bring out the truth in the case.

He, along with district Congress leaders, staged a ‘Mouna Deeksha’ (silent protest) at Bhadrachalam in the district on Monday in support of the demand as well as a mark of protest against the recent developments in Ayodhya Ram Mandir.

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Speaking to the media, Hanumantha Rao expressed deep anguish over the alleged misappropriation of donations received by Ayodhya Ram Mandir, one of the country’s most sacred shrines. The Central government should ensure an impartial CBI inquiry to identify the actual masterminds behind the alleged financial scam at the temple, he said.

He said that people from all over the world had donated voluntarily for the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and that it was people’s money that had been misappropriated. The Ayodhya Trust melted the gold donated by the people and sold it, he alleged.

The Congress leader said that a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry was ordered to probe the alleged laddu and ghee scam in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. Why was the CBI not conducting an inquiry if a scam involving hundreds of crores of rupees had taken place in Ayodhya Ram Mandir, he asked.

Hanumantha Rao stated that all those on the Ayodhya Trust Board belong to the BJP, RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The Yogi government would try to protect them. Hence, a CBI probe has to be ordered into the Ayodhya case.

He informed that the party would be holding a fast at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 19 and Rahul Gandhi would participate in the fast in support of the demand.