Sanjay Raut calls for probe over missing Sena UBT gift amid Ram Mandir donation row

Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut on Friday questioned the alleged disappearance of a 4-kg silver brick donated by party chief Uddhav Thackeray to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, seeking answers from the temple trust amid an ongoing probe into donation discrepancies. In a post on X, he demanded a detailed investigation into the matter and accountability from those concerned.

According to Raut, party chief Uddhav Thackeray had donated Rs 1 crore along with the silver brick during the temple's construction in the presence of thousands of party workers and saints. He alleged that years later, neither a receipt nor any update had been provided by the trust regarding the donation.

"Serious questions over the missing 4-kg silver brick donated by Shiv Sena for the Ram Mandir construction in Ayodhya. Uddhav Thackeray ji had generously contributed Rs 1 crore and this sacred silver brick in the presence of thousands of Shiv Sainiks & saints. Yet, years later, no receipt or update from the Trust. Where has it gone? Time for full investigation & accountability!" Raut said in the post.

Earlier, on Wednesday, Raut also launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the donation controversy, alleging that no action would be taken against those linked to the alleged scam.

Meanwhile, an FIR was registered on Thursday in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The case has been filed under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5), on the directions of the Uttar Pradesh government.

Among those named in the FIR are Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav and Manish Yadav.

The FIR comes after former Samajwadi Party MLA from Ayodhya, Pawan Pandey, alleged that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in donations received by the Ram Mandir had been misappropriated.

Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government on June 14 constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged scam involving offerings made at the temple after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Trust sought an investigation.

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