Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has asked the government to thoroughly investigate the disappearance of a 4 kg silver brick donated by party chief Uddhav Thackeray to build the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. His demand arrives when the issue of alleged embezzlement of donations to the temple is still in dispute.
According to Sanjay Raut’s posting on X, Uddhav Thackeray contributed a silver brick and ₹1 cr worth of gold and silver pieces during the construction of the temple in front of thousands of Shiv Sainiks and saints. He wondered why the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had not given any receipt or official update on the donation made?
Raut termed the issue serious and demanded the custody be held accountable for the disappearance of the silver brick and promised to hold a proper “Probe on the matter.” The trust should make it transparent and tell where the funding came from, he said.
Earlier this week, Raut also lashed out on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the controversy claiming nothing would happen against anyone involved with the alleged irregularities.
The remarks are a few hours before the filing of a complaint of alleged embezzlement of the donations received at the Ram Mandir. The case has been filed under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) by the Uttar Pradesh government. Authorities have been investigating allegations on how temple donations are handled and several people accused of misusing the money have been apprehended so far.
The debate has escalated to strengthen political opposition over the management of donations received for Ayodhya Ram Mandir.