Arvind Kejriwal Dismisses Ram Temple Scam SIT as Legally Invalid Eyewash
On Thursday, June 25, 2026, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal dismissed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged Ram Temple donation scam as a legally invalid "eyewash" during a press address at the Lucknow airport. Kejriwal, who was on his way to Ayodhya, claimed the investigation was designed to shield powerful individuals rather than uncover the truth behind the alleged theft of ₹200 crore in donations.
Kejriwal was received by hundreds of party workers at the airport before addressing reporters. He expressed deep distress over the alleged theft of valuable items and cash donated to the temple. According to the AAP leader, the stolen items include diamonds and precious stones offered by devotees, ₹200 crore in cash, and 200 kilograms of silver.
The former Delhi Chief Minister questioned the legal legitimacy of the SIT, pointing out that no First Information Report (FIR) had been registered despite evidence of the theft. He argued that under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), an SIT can only be constituted after an FIR is registered.
"In this case, donations worth billions of rupees have allegedly been stolen, some money has even been recovered, yet no FIR has been registered," Kejriwal said. He questioned the legal basis of the team, calling it a fraud intended to cover up the matter and protect influential people.
Kejriwal stated that he was traveling to Ayodhya to visit the Ram Temple and Hanumangarhi to offer prayers, noting that crores of people share his distress over the allegations.
Earlier on Thursday, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh appeared before the SIT to submit documents containing alleged evidence of corruption. The SIT was established by the Uttar Pradesh Government on June 13 following a request from the temple trust. The team, led by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, had submitted its preliminary inquiry report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad on Tuesday, June 23.
