Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleged on Friday that ₹2,000 crore was siphoned from the Ram Mandir Trust and used to orchestrate political splits within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Shiv Sena (UBT). The claim came amid an FIR filed against eight individuals over the alleged embezzlement of donations meant for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, according to livemint.com.
Raut accused that the stolen funds were strategically deployed to cause divisions among MPs of TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT). He also demanded an inquiry into the disappearance of a 4-kg silver brick donated by his party to the Ram Mandir Trust. The FIR against the eight people was lodged in connection with the misappropriation of donations collected for the temple's construction, as reported by livemint.com.
The allegations highlight concerns about the management and transparency of funds collected for the Ram Mandir, a significant religious and political project in India. The case has drawn attention to the potential misuse of charitable donations and its impact on political alignments. The ₹2,000 crore figure marks one of the largest sums alleged to have been diverted from the trust, raising questions about oversight mechanisms in place for such high-profile donations.
The investigation into the embezzlement is ongoing, with the FIR serving as a formal step toward accountability. Sanjay Raut's call for a probe into the missing silver brick adds to the scrutiny of the trust's handling of assets. The case continues to unfold as authorities examine the extent of the alleged financial irregularities linked to the Ram Mandir Trust.