New Delhi, August 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Samajwadi Party on Tuesday accused the Uttar Pradesh government of protecting influential individuals after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) reportedly gave a clean chit to former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and former member Anil Mishra in connection with alleged irregularities and theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad alleged that the government had been protecting the “big fish” from the beginning and described the alleged incident as a serious offence at a place of religious significance.
“From the beginning itself, we have been repeatedly saying that the government is protecting some big fish…this is not stealing but robbery at the holy place of Lord Ram,” Prasad told IANS.
Citing verses from religious scriptures, the SP MP said that those responsible would ultimately face consequences, even if the government attempted to protect them.
Prasad also questioned the constitution of the SIT and said the Opposition had sought a discussion on the matter during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. He alleged that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah did not attend Parliament to respond to the issue.
“Nevertheless, the guilty will be punished,” he asserted.
SP MLA Brijesh Katheria also questioned the government’s handling of the case, saying that since the BJP is in power in Uttar Pradesh, it was its decision whom to protect or punish.
He asked why those accused of stealing donations and hurting the religious sentiments of devotees were allegedly being protected and questioned the government’s relationship with the accused.
However, Ram Mandir Religious Committee member Rajkumar Das defended Rai, saying he was innocent and that the saint community had already maintained this position. He said the employees found guilty were in jail and facing punishment.
Rai and Mishra had resigned from their respective positions on June 27 following allegations of irregularities in the handling of temple donations. They were subsequently questioned by the SIT as part of its probe into the management and collection of donations at the temple.
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