New Delhi, July 1: Alok Kumar, the international president of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), stated that the resolution of the theft case involving donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple hinges on the legal punishment of all accused. He emphasized that only when justice is served will the hurt feelings of Hindus, affected by the donation theft, find solace.
Kumar expressed that granting the Special Investigation Team (SIT) an additional 15 days to complete their investigation is reasonable. He noted that if investigators require more time to conduct a thorough inquiry, this should not be viewed negatively. He urged that the investigation should proceed without unnecessary interference.
He reassured that the SIT is conducting a meticulous investigation and that trust should be placed in the standard procedures of the inquiry. While some critics argue that the BJP government may hinder a fair investigation, Kumar pointed out that the central government is also led by the BJP. He remarked that opposition parties question both the Uttar Pradesh police and the CBI. He believes there should be no distrust in our agencies, as the media and the Hindu community are closely monitoring the investigation. Any wrongdoing will eventually come to light, which is why he disagrees with changing or extending the investigation agency.
When asked about the Ayodhya Bar Association’s announcement that no lawyer would represent the accused in the alleged temple donation theft case, Kumar found it somewhat odd. He expressed no sympathy for the accused, stating he envisions them in jail. However, he acknowledged that the Supreme Court has ruled that legal assistance is a fundamental right for every accused under Article 22 of the Constitution. Therefore, no bar association can pass a resolution to deny lawyers from taking on such cases.
Regarding the status of Gopal Rao, who is managing the temple, Kumar stated he was unaware of any formal appointment. He mentioned that those named in the case would decide whether they should remain in their positions. When concerns were raised that Champat Rai’s continued role as general secretary could influence the investigation or pressure witnesses, Kumar noted that Rai resigned within two days of the FIR being filed, which should be commended.
Kumar dismissed suggestions to form a multi-party committee for the investigation, arguing that such a proposal would effectively hand over the investigation to political leaders.
He questioned whether media trials should occur, especially with elections approaching, suggesting that sensational claims about a ₹2,000 crore theft should be substantiated with evidence. He urged the police to call these claimants for questioning, stating that spreading unfounded rumors that could incite unrest is a crime under Section 353 of the BNS.
Referring to the court’s authority, Kumar asserted that the court’s decision is final in any case. He acknowledged that some individuals have been seen on CCTV engaging in suspicious activities, which serves as evidence, and some have confessed. However, he reiterated that in India’s system, the court holds the ultimate authority.
On reports of leaks regarding police investigations into the Ram Temple case, Kumar suggested that someone is fabricating and disseminating these leaks. He questioned the accuracy of these reports, wondering how much is factual and how much is politically motivated.
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