New Delhi: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition seeking action against former General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Champat Rai n relation to the Ram Temple donation theft case.
Petition alleged that Rai too was involved in misappropriation of funds and illegal purchase of land around the temple.
The petition filed by an organisation, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, also sought a direction from the apex court to the UP government authorities to attach all properties, movable or immovable in the possession of the “trustee or their men”.
When the petition came up for hearing yesterday, the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant-led Bench assured advocate Varinder Kumar Sharma that the petition shall be tagged along with pending pleas related to the Ram temple donation theft and heard together on November 2.
It is to be noted that had been given a clean chit by the UP-State SIT which probed the donation theft, and he is listed in the chargesheet as a key prosecution witness.
Rai had informed investigators that he first learned of the irregularities via a phone call and video message while travelling, subsequently reviewed CCTV footage, and suggested lodging the formal police complaint.
Chargesheet names as accused only eight arrested counting agents and employees for criminal breach of trust and corruption offences.
Petition sought dissolution of the present Ram Mandir Trust and complete reconstitution, saying it only underwent leadership and administrative changes after the donation theft scandal came to light.
“Many persons committed embezzlement, but no action has been taken so far against all. Moreover trust constituted after the order of SC is also not working honestly and there are so many persons still in the Trust who required to be removed. Trust ought to be reconstituted by way of cancelling present trust”, said the petition
“Ram Janmbhoomi trust is not working honestly and many persons require to be removed”, said the petition which alleges that Champat Rai was also actively involved in the donation theft and illegal purchase of land around the temple.
Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha also alleged that land adjoining the temple was also illegally occupied by Champat Rai.
“The Trust has breached the trust of all Ram devotees across the world. They are deeply hurt by the conduct and embezzlement committed by the Trust. Misappropriation of the funds and embezzlement of land was committed by accused persons ignoring their fundamental duties for their own interest as such action ought to be taken against all the person who are directly or indirectly related to the embezzlement. All the properties, movable or immovable in the possession of the trustee or their men should be attached immediately”, said the petition