NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday questioned the alleged disappearance of a 4-kg silver brick donated by the party for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, demanding a detailed investigation and accountability from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.In a post on X, Raut claimed that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had donated Rs 1 crore along with the silver brick during the temple construction process in the presence of thousands of party workers and saints, but alleged that there had been no acknowledgement from the trust regarding the offering.“Serious questions over the missing 4 kg silver brick donated by Shiv Sena for the Ram Mandir construction in Ayodhya. Uddhav Thackeray ji had generously contributed Rs 1 crore + this sacred silver brick in the presence of thousands of Shiv Sainiks & saints. Yet, years later, no receipt or update from the Trust. Where has it gone? Time for full investigation & accountability!” , Raut wrote.
Raut targets BJP over donation controversy
The latest remarks come a day after Raut launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah over the Ram Mandir donation controversy, alleging that “no action” would be taken against those he described as being linked to the alleged scam.His demand also comes amid an ongoing investigation into alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ayodhya temple.An FIR was registered on Thursday in connection with the alleged embezzlement of temple donations under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5), following directions from the Uttar Pradesh government.The FIR named Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav, Manish Yadav and others.The case was registered after former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey alleged that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in donations had been misappropriated from the Ram Mandir. Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 14 after a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Trust.Meanwhile, eight people named in the FIR have been arrested. The complaint was lodged by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, based on recommendations in the SIT’s preliminary report.Senior officials cited by news agency PTI said that all eight accused, who were associated with counting cash and valuables received as temple donations, were arrested in Ayodhya late Thursday night and are being questioned.Police are preparing to produce them before a magistrate as the investigation continues.