'Maha dacoity at Ram Temple': Kejriwal claims 'powerful demons' involved in theft; CM Yogi hits back

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Friday accused the Uttar Pradesh government of protecting influential people in the alleged donation embezzlement at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.While addressing a press conference in Ayodhya after offering prayers at the temple, Kejriwal said that a "maha dacoity" had taken place at the Ram temple and that "very powerful demons" were involved in the alleged theft."A major robbery has taken place at the house of Lord Ram. His ornaments, garlands, padukas, and the gold, silver, diamonds, jewellery, crores and billions of rupees in cash, and many other offerings made by devotees have been stolen from Lord Ram's house," Kejriwal said."Crores of people have faith in Lord Ram. The sentiments of those crores of devotees have been deeply hurt. People are distressed, and I myself am deeply pained. That is why I came to the temple today to seek the blessings of Lord Ram," he added.Referring to the FIR registered by the Ayodhya Police in the case, Kejriwal alleged that those accused of the alleged embezzlement were themselves controlling the investigation."Unfortunately, the very people who committed the theft have to take action in the matter. Obviously, they will not act against themselves. They are trying to completely shield themselves."A fake Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted, and now a fake FIR has been registered. In that fake FIR, only eight small pawns have been made accused. There are no big names in it," he alleged.Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath took a sharp jibe at Kejriwal's Ayodhya visit and said that the people of Delhi gave him opportunities, but he gave nothing to Delhi except corruption."Even a gentleman (Arvind Kejriwal) from Delhi has come there (Ayodhya) today. I would also like to tell him that the people of Delhi gave him opportunities for many years, but he gave nothing to Delhi except corruption," the UP CM said."If the same justice that the double-engine BJP government did with Ayodhya is done by the Aam Aadmi Party with Delhi, then Delhi too would shine just like Ayodhya Dham is shining," he added.This comes a day after an FIR was lodged against eight persons over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple.Earlier in the day, a local court remanded all eight accused to judicial custody till June 29. They will remain in jail and are scheduled to be produced before the court again on Monday.The alleged irregularities have triggered sharp political reactions over the past two weeks. Former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey alleged that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in temple donations had been misappropriated. Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member SIT on June 13 after the Trust itself sought an investigation.The SIT, headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, examined donation collection, counting and storage procedures, scrutinised financial records, and recorded statements from nearly 150 people associated with the temple administration.Officials said the preliminary report recommended administrative reforms to improve transparency and accountability, though its full contents have not been made public.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.