Rai alleges government trying to suppress voice over donation theft; other Congress leaders also detained; eight accused in embezzlement case sent to 14-day judicial custody

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai was placed under house arrest by police late Monday night at a hotel in Ayodhya, hours before he was scheduled to lead a party delegation to offer prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and protest outside the Trust office over the alleged donation theft.

According to Congress sources, Rai was taken into custody from Hotel Padam Shri Palace around 11:30 pm and later shifted to the guest house of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology in Kumarganj, about 60 km from Ayodhya. Heavy police deployment was made outside the university's gates, with security personnel stationed at Gates No. 1 and 2.

A nine-member Congress delegation, which included Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma, Barabanki MP Tanuj Punia, Prayagraj MP Ujjwal Raman Singh, Sitapur MP Rakesh Rathor, former Rajya Sabha MP SP Gautam, former MLC Deepak Singh, former MLA Meeta Gautam and Pharenda MLA Virendra Chaudhary, was scheduled to visit Ayodhya on Tuesday to offer prayers and have darshan of Ramlala.

Tanuj Punia claimed he was placed under house arrest in Barabanki before he could leave for Ayodhya. Ujjwal Raman Singh was similarly confined to his residence in Prayagraj from 10 am on Tuesday. Congress district president of Pratapgarh Neeraj Tripathi was also detained, the party alleged.

'Won't leave without darshan'

Speaking to reporters, Rai alleged the government was trying to prevent Congress leaders from visiting the shrine. "I had reached Ayodhya a day earlier because we anticipated that something like this could happen. Despite that, we have been stopped from offering prayers," he said.

In a video statement, Rai said: "We all intended to visit Ayodhya to seek the blessings of Lord Shri Ram. We had formed a delegation led by me to offer prayers and seek darshan. We also wanted to pray to the Lord regarding the disrepute brought to this holy site by the RSS and BJP through the theft of offerings and donations, as well as land scams".

"Our colleagues and I were placed under house arrest. We are being subjected to harassment and are being prevented from visiting the temple. We are prepared to do whatever it takes, even if it means going to jail or giving up food and water for a few days to ensure we get to offer our prayers," he added.

Rai asserted he would not leave Ayodhya without offering prayers. "I will go on a hunger strike if required, but I won't leave Ayodhya without offering prayers. We wanted to pray before Ram and Lord Hanuman for the way Ayodhya has been defamed because of the greed of some people from the RSS and BJP," he told The Indian Express.

Wife alleges government trying to silence him

Ajay Rai's wife, Reena Rai, released a video statement from Varanasi, accusing the BJP government of attempting to suppress her husband's voice. "The BJP government is prepared to stoop to any level to silence my husband. After taking him away in a police vehicle, our associates are now being misled with false information. Our fight against the 'donation thieves' will continue. If anything happens to my husband, the entire responsibility will lie with this unrighteous BJP government," she said.

Congress terms action unconstitutional

The Uttar Pradesh Congress termed the action unconstitutional and demanded the immediate release of its leaders. In a post on X, the party questioned: "Has it now become a crime in UP to even have darshan of Lord Shri Ram?"

"Lord Shri Ram does not belong to any single political party or ideology; He is a symbol of the faith and culture of the entire country. Stopping devotees from going to Ayodhya is unconstitutional," the party said.

Senior Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi accused the BJP government of curbing the fundamental right of devotees. "The BJP government wants to control who can offer prayers. This reflects the dictatorial functioning of the Yogi Adityanath government," Awasthi alleged.

CM Yogi hits back

At an event in Rampur on Tuesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a counter-attack, saying those who had once denied the existence of Lord Ram now wanted to visit Ayodhya. "The very people who, before 2017, had devotees beaten for chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' are now invoking faith," he said. "The Congress had once denied the very existence of Lord Ram, but now it says Ram belongs to everyone. Everyone is eager to visit Ayodhya. But Lord Ram is the Lord of the universe. He knows who is right and who is wrong."

Donation theft case: Eight accused sent to judicial custody

The political confrontation comes amid an ongoing probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir. On Monday, a local court in Ayodhya remanded all eight accused to 14 days of judicial custody. Police had arrested the eight accused following an FIR registered on June 25 on the complaint of Trust member Krishna Mohan.

The accused include Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, who is described as a close associate of former Trust General Secretary Champat Rai. On June 28, eight police teams conducted simultaneous raids at the homes of the accused. At Tinnu's residence, investigators recovered documents relating to investments, property purchases, jewellery and cash.

Champat Rai, Anil Mishra resign; Trust meeting advanced

Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Dr Anil Mishra resigned on June 27, two days after the FIR was registered, taking "moral responsibility" for the alleged embezzlement. Sources say Champat Rai left Ayodhya for Delhi on Sunday evening to present his case and seek support from RSS and VHP leadership.

The Trust has advanced its scheduled meeting from July 11 to July 6 to consider the resignations. Sources claim the SIT may hold Champat Rai, Dr Mishra and Gopal Rao responsible in its final report, and registration of an FIR against them is likely once the report is submitted.

Police expand financial investigation

Police have expanded the financial investigation, seeking details of bank accounts belonging to employees working at more than three State Bank of India branches in the Ayodhya area. Investigators are scrutinising bank transactions and financial links of the accused.

Owaisi, Mayawati react

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said in Bijnor: "The Trust made a mistake. They should have appointed a Muslim to the Trust and then blamed him. The entire matter would have been settled. But now Champat is facing the consequences".

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said those guilty of temple offering theft must not be spared.

Meanwhile, Congress workers staged a sit-in protest outside the Agriculture University's Gate No. 1, demanding Rai's release. Police used mild force to disperse Congress workers who attempted to march towards the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, detaining several workers including former Rajya Sabha MP Aliya Zubairi.