Congress seeks Champat Rai's arrest, questions remarks on SIT probe

New Delhi: Congress has taken objection to the disgraced former general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai, saying that he would speak up on the donation theft row after SIT probing it finalised its report. Maintaining that Rai's statement showed his confidence that he can't be hauled up by SIT, Congress demanded his immediate arrest to ensure a free and fair probe into the alleged theft.

"When Champat Rai says he will make a statement after SIT submits its report, it means he is confident that neither SIT nor the PM will take action against him. That is why we say, for holding a free and fair investigation, that too under the Supreme Court's supervision, into the donation theft, Champat Rai should be arrested first," said Congress spokesman Shaktisinh Gohil at an AICC presser.

Also Read: Ram Temple trust clears former secretary Champat Rai of wrongdoing


Demanding strict action against Rai, senior UP Congress leader Pramod Tiwari told journalists: "The apprehension I harboured has proven true. From where did Champat Raiji find the audacity to say, and put in writing, that he would speak only after SIT report is finalised? Does Champat Raiji already know the contents of SIT report?"

Gohil said going by the reports on SIT findings, there was a glaring difference in the daily cash donation collection at the temple during the alleged period of theft (around ₹14-16 lakh per day) and after the news of the imminent FIR spread (around ₹24-26 lakh daily), thus indicating a daily theft of around ₹10 lakh per day.

Gohil reiterated Congress' demand that the trust should be dissolved, a new one be formed by Shankaracharyas, a retired SC judge, members of Nirmohi Akhara and the saints they suggest and SC should monitor the probe.