VHP Won't Take Action Against Champat Rai Until SIT Probe Ends, Says Alok Kumar

A day after the Ayodhya Bar Association declared that no lawyer would represent the accused in the Ram Temple donation theft case, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Alok Kumar told HT that the VHP was not responsible for the alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and would wait for the outcome of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe before deciding whether any organisational action was required against its international vice president, Champat Rai.

Describing the alleged theft as very unfortunate, Kumar told HT that the incident had deeply hurt devotees and stressed that the VHP wanted a comprehensive investigation.

"All of us are determined that the police and the SIT make a very thorough probe covering all angles and individuals, whoever they may be, against whom there are any allegations," Kumar told HT.

VHP Distances Itself From Temple Administration

During the interview, Kumar maintained that the VHP had no role in the administration of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust which manages the Ram Temple.

According to Kumar, the VHP's responsibility ended after the Supreme Court verdict paved the way for the construction of the temple.

"The day the Supreme Court judgment came, I had clarified that the job of the VHP is over. Construction of the temple and the running of it is not our job," he told HT.

He also said Rai's position in the temple trust should not be viewed as representation of the VHP.

"We did not nominate him to that place. He does not represent the VHP. We are not responsible," Kumar said in the interview.

Kumar further alleged that attempts to connect the VHP, the RSS and the Prime Minister's Office with the alleged theft were politically motivated.

No Immediate Action Against Champat Rai

Asked whether the VHP would remove Rai from his organisational responsibilities while the investigation is underway, Kumar ruled out any immediate action.

He said no allegation had yet been established against Rai and noted that the immediate accusations related to Rai's driver.

"You want me to dismiss him today without the result of the investigation probe but no one has accused Rai yet. The allegations are on his driver," Kumar told Hindustan Times.

However, Kumar acknowledged that questions of negligence could arise depending on what the SIT ultimately concludes.

When asked about allegations that Rai's driver had access to the temple's strong room keys, Kumar said the driver had already been arrested and cash had been recovered.

"The law will catch up with him," he said, while adding that Rai "may be guilty of negligence", depending on the outcome of the investigation.

VHP Wants Speedy Investigation

Kumar also told Hindustan Times that the VHP had already demanded swift legal action in the case.

According to him, the organisation had sought immediate registration of an FIR, a detailed investigation by senior officers, daily hearings before a fast-track court and completion of the trial within four to five months.

He said the investigation should not be confined to the eight people arrested so far but should examine the role of anyone found to be connected with the alleged diversion of donations.

"Whatever be the size of the fish, irrespective of small or big, none would be spared," Kumar said.

Donation Theft Probe

The alleged donation theft came to light after the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team on June 13 at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

The three-member SIT conducted a preliminary inquiry between June 15 and June 20 and reportedly found prima facie irregularities in the handling and counting of cash donations offered by devotees.

Investigators have alleged that a portion of the offerings was diverted before being deposited into the temple's designated bank account. Eight people associated with the cash collection and counting process have been arrested in the case.

Police have also registered an FIR against eight named accused and several unidentified persons under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The investigation is continuing.