ISLAMABAD: The chairperson of India's Public Accounts Committee has written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the embezzlement of donations collected for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, calling the controversy a serious breach of public trust and demanding a transparent investigation.

The Indian National Congress shared on X a letter written by K.C. Venugopal, a member of the lower house of parliament (Lok Sabha) and chair of the Public Accounts Committee. The letter accuses the BJP-led government of failing to answer questions surrounding the alleged misuse of funds donated by devotees.

The letter alleges that the scandal has shaken public confidence and calls for accountability from all those found responsible.

Venugopal has asked Prime Minister Modi to investigate the corruption scandal.

The political offensive comes as the investigation into the high-profile case continues to widen.

Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested eight people named in an FIR registered following the recommendations of a Special Investigation Team constituted after allegations of financial irregularities emerged. Authorities say the accused are being questioned and further investigations are underway.

According to Indian media reports, fresh searches conducted by investigators led to the recovery of a donation chest carrying a QR code, along with cash, gold, silver and foreign currency from premises linked to one of the accused.

Officials are also examining a money trail involving more than Rs7.7 million allegedly connected to the case.

The controversy has also drawn attention after former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai said he had been "betrayed" by those allegedly involved.

His statement came amid mounting political criticism and ongoing police questioning, although authorities have not disclosed details of his examination.

The Uttar Pradesh government has maintained that anyone found guilty will face strict action regardless of position, while extending the investigating team's tenure to allow them more time to complete the probe.

As the investigation progresses, the donation controversy has evolved into a major political issue, with opposition parties demanding greater transparency in the management of one of India's most prominent religious institutions.

Accountability

Modi government under fire over India's Ram Mandir donation row