Ram Mandir Donation Row: The controversy surrounding the embezzlement of donations for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has assumed yet another important dimension.
Govind Dev Giri Refutes Resignation Speculation
Govind Dev Giri dismissed resignation rumors as “malicious,” saying he will not step down and is focused on fixing the system to prevent such incidents from happening again.
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Treasurer Holds SBI Accountable for the Lapses
Govind Dev Giri pinned the blame on the State Bank of India (SBI), saying that all the people who have been arrested in relation to the alleged stealing of the donations are SBI employees, and they had been entrusted with the job of counting the donations of the temple.
Alleged Donation Theft Estimated at Around ₹3 Crore
It was revealed by the treasurer that the suspected theft of donations has to do with cash stolen from the donation boxes of the temple and not from the bank accounts of the Trust. While emphasizing that this is just an estimate, Govind Dev Giri said that the suspected theft of the donations is worth approximately ₹3 crore.
Trust Introduces New Security Measures
Following the controversy, the Trust has announced several corrective measures aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
These include:
- Pocketless uniforms for staff handling cash.
- Removal of CCTV blind spots.
- Cash counting on floor mats instead of tables.
- Mandatory presence of two Trust representatives and two SBI officials during counting.
- Frisking of personnel entering and leaving the counting area.
What Happens Next?
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues to investigate the alleged donation theft, while the matter remains under judicial scrutiny. The Trust has expressed confidence in the ongoing probe and says it will cooperate fully with investigators.
