VIP pass system in Ram Darbar Ayodhya canceled; pilgrims can visit the temple through a general queue

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is actively investigating the case of misappropriation of donations at Ram Mandir. Following a Supreme Court order, a new SIT has been activated, which will now also examine the relatives of the accused.

The new SIT is conducting an expedited investigation into the incident of fraud during the collection of donations at Ram Mandir, following the directive of the Supreme Court. The investigation is being overseen by DIG Somen Verma and SSP Dr. Gaurav Grover.

In connection with this case, a notice was issued to 200 individuals, including the relatives of the accused. The circle of persons under investigation has now been expanded to examine all aspects of this matter.

Currently, the SIT is interviewing all involved parties and verifying documentation while expanding the scope of its investigation. Residents living outside Ayodhya have also been included in the investigation.

Parallel to this issue, tension persists in Parliament. A commotion occurred in Parliament on Friday regarding this case. Independent MP Pappu Yadav from Purnia staged a demonstration on the Parliament premises to raise this issue. He was dressed as a priest and allegedly collecting donations.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also arrived at the protest site. Speaking at the protest, Pappu Yadav stated: 'Not only does the RSS have the right to Hinduism and Sanatana. Hinduism is mine, Sanatana is mine. These people have taken everything from temples across the country. We are raising our voice for the population of the country who consider themselves Sanatanas, numbering 100 million people.'

Regarding this, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Anurag Thakur and Delhi Chief Minister Reha Gupta criticized Pappu Yadav.

Amidst the controversy over the embezzlement of donations, candidates for three vacant positions in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust are being discussed. These positions became vacant following the departure of Champat Rai, as well as the exit of Trust member Anil Mishra and the death of Trust member Bimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra.

Agenda for the upcoming meeting

The Trust plans to hold a special meeting at the Ram Mandir complex on Wednesday afternoon, followed by a regular session at Maniram Chauni. According to Trust sources, the agenda includes appointing a new General Secretary, filling three vacant seats on the Trust board, and finalizing the selection process for the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the temple.

The meeting may also consider the SIT report presented by the Supreme Court regarding the alleged donation fraud. The agenda also includes verifying the count of currency notes received as donations at Ram Mandir and reviewing the temple's security measures.

Candidates for key positions

Krishna Mohan has been appointed as the interim General Secretary following the departure of Champat Rai. However, Bill Baghd's name is once again actively being discussed ahead of the upcoming meeting, as the national general secretary of VHP. It is reported that he is a contender for both a position on the Trust board and the post of Trust General Secretary. His name was mentioned at the July 6 meeting, but no decision was made due to disagreements over the proposal for a new candidate.

In addition to Bill Baghd, national coordinator Bajang Dal, Niraj Danodia, was also mentioned among the potential candidates, which led to both of them being in Ayodhya on July 6 but unable to make a decision at the Trust meeting.

List of potential Trust members

Many saints and spiritual leaders from Ramnagari are actively being discussed for membership in the Ram Mandir Trust. Among them are influential saints associated with the Ramanandi Vaishnav order. In addition to Bill Baghd, other names under discussion include Mahant Acharya Mitilienandanisharan from Siddhipit Hanumannivas; Mahant Kamalnandas, heir to Chauni Maniramdas Ji; Mahant Radhukar Das and Mahant Ramsharanadas from Shri Ramvallabhakund; Dr. Ramanandas and Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Swami Vasudevacharya Vidyabhaskar from Ramkata Kund.

Furthermore, Yatindra Mohan Mishra, heir to the royal family of Ayodhya and a renowned writer, is also being considered among the leading candidates. His father, Bimalendra Mohan Mishra, was a member of the Trust and the temple construction committee, who recently passed away.

Donation situation and investigation

The case of donation embezzlement at Ram Mandir surfaced in June, after which the Uttar Pradesh government formed an SIT. Eight suspects have been arrested so far. On Monday, the Supreme Court requested the state government to provide the court with information on the possibility of transferring the SIT investigation from the local police to ensure an impartial and transparent investigation, which could lead to the creation of a new SIT for further investigation.