The Congress on Sunday alleged a scam in the purchase of land by the Ram Temple Trust in Ayodhya and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Supreme Court to “fulfil their responsibility” by ordering a court-monitored probe to find the truth.
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Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the “loot” of funds collected in the name of Lord Ram is “continuing” at the hands of BJP leaders in Ayodhya and questioned the “silence” of the prime minister and the Supreme Court.
He alleged that a BJP leader brought 890 metres of land in Ayodhya for ₹ 20 lakh in February and sold it to the Temple Trust for a whopping ₹ 2.5 crore, making a profit of 1250% in only 79 days.
“Lord Ram’s temple is being constructed as per the orders of the Supreme Court. Is it not the responsibility of the Supreme Court and its judges and the prime minister who formed the Trust, to find out the truth and investigate this.
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“Shouldn’t the Supreme Court take cognisance of the matter? The Supreme Court should discharge its duty... hold an audit of the entire transactions under its monitoring and punish the culprits,” he told reporters when asked if the party would move the court.
“Now the question is whether the Supreme Court and the prime minister will discharge their duty, we leave it to their discretion,” he said.
Mr. Surjewala said if it is anyone’s responsibility, it is Prime Minister Modi’s as he formed this trust.
“It is not only a question of morality, but it is also a question of constitutionality,” he said, adding that the ball is now in the prime minister’s court on what action he takes.
He said the people will never forgive anyone who loots donations in the name of Lord Ram.
The Congress had earlier alleged that land purchased for ₹ 2 crore was sold for ₹ 18.5 crore to the Trust “within minutes”, as per the land deed registered on March 18 this year, and demanded an SC-monitored probe into the “scam”.
BJP leaders had hit out at the Congress, claiming those who were opposed to the Ram temple constructions were now trying to derail it by making false and misleading allegations.
Mr. Surjewala said with the “facts” now in the public domain, an investigation is required under the supervision of the Supreme Court to ascertain the truth.
Posing five questions to Prime Minister Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he asked, “What is the reason that Modi-Adityanath ji are completely silent on taking action against the sinners who openly looted funds for the construction of the Ram temple.”