Varanasi/Lucknow: Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh leveled serious allegations regarding the functioning of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, claiming irregularities in land purchases, alleged theft of donations, and financial mismanagement linked to funds contributed by devotees.
Addressing a press conference in Varanasi, Singh alleged that a government-recorded Nazul land parcel valued at ₹2.92 crore was purchased by the trust for ₹24 crore, calling it a misuse of donations contributed by millions of devotees.
“Purchasing land worth ₹2.92 crore for ₹24 crore amounts to playing with the faith of crores of Hindus,” Singh claimed while demanding an independent investigation into the transaction.
Questions Raised Over Land Purchase
According to Singh, official documents issued by local authorities in July 2024 categorized the land in question, located in Ayodhya, as Nazul land, which is government-owned land subject to specific legal provisions regarding transfer and ownership.
He alleged that despite the land’s recorded valuation of approximately ₹2.92 crore, it was acquired by the trust for ₹24 crore. Singh named Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and other individuals connected to the transaction, demanding a detailed probe into the matter.
The AAP leader further claimed that questions arise because the transaction took place in April 2024 while subsequent official documentation reportedly continued to classify the property as Nazul land.
Allegations Regarding Temple Donations
Singh also referred to earlier allegations concerning theft and irregularities related to donation boxes and offerings made at the Ram Temple. He alleged that thefts involving temple donations had exceeded ₹200 crore and claimed that more than 50 individuals had been implicated in various investigations.
He further alleged that multiple complaints regarding mismanagement of donations had surfaced over the years but were not acted upon adequately.
“These allegations concern the faith of millions of devotees. A transparent and impartial investigation is essential,” Singh said.
Demands for Action
The Rajya Sabha MP demanded the immediate arrest of all individuals found responsible if wrongdoing is established through investigation. He also called for the dissolution of the existing trust structure and the appointment of what he described as credible and impartial individuals to oversee its functioning.
Singh questioned why central investigative agencies had not taken action in the alleged cases and urged the Union Government to clarify its position on the matter.
Call for Independent Investigation
The AAP leader maintained that the issue goes beyond politics and concerns public trust and religious sentiments. He called for a comprehensive and impartial inquiry into all allegations related to land purchases, donations, and financial transactions associated with the temple trust.
As of the filing of this report, no response from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding Singh’s allegations was available.
The allegations made by Sanjay Singh have not been independently verified, and any determination of wrongdoing would be subject to investigation by the competent authorities.
