How could PM have been unaware of land scam, commissions in construction & ‘chanda-chori' at Shri Ram Mandir? Arvind Kejriwal
NEW DELHI / GOA: 3rd July, 2026 : Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the ‘Chanda-Chori’ (theft of offerings) at Ayodhya Shri Ram Mandir, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday pointed out that it seems the Prime Minister was protecting those responsible despite the revelations of scam in land transactions, commission in construction and ‘chanda-chori’ that have surfaced over the past few years.During his visit to Goa, he asserted that the sequence of events raised serious questions about accountability. He pointed out that the Prime Minister had constituted the Shri Ram Mandir Trust, selected its members, and appointed Champat Rai as its head.
The AAP Chief further claimed that authorities used resignations, arrests, a weak Special Investigation Team (SIT), and a First Information Report (FIR) as cosmetic measures to create an illusion of action, while they continued to shield the powerful individuals behind the scam.
Addressing a press conference alongside AAP Goa In-charge Atishi, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated, “The people of Goa are deeply religious. Hindus across Goa donated generously and with deep devotion when Prabhu Shri Ram Mandir was built. Now, reports of a scam and ‘chanda-chori’ at the Shri Ram Mandir have deeply hurt Sanatan followers in the state. Reports claim that miscreants have stolen Prabhu Shri Ram’s necklace, padukas, and other ornaments.
Chanda-Chori ; Devotees had offered diamonds and precious stones with deep faith
He pointed out, “Devotees had offered diamonds and precious stones with deep faith, and those too have gone missing. Someone had donated 200 kg of silver bricks, which have also disappeared. Silver lamps have been stolen, and ₹200 crore in cash has gone missing. With every new revelation, people’s faith is being hurt even more.”
The AAP Supremo traced the issue back to the land transactions and said, “This did not begin now; it started in 2021 with a massive land scam. People across the country contributed hundreds of crores of rupees for the construction of the mandir, and the 2021 land deals show how someone siphoned off that money. A Pathak family in Ayodhya sold a piece of land to a party leader for ₹2 crore. Within 10 minutes, the leader sold the same land to the Mandir Trust for ₹18 crore. This clearly shows that someone siphoned off ₹16 crore from the donations made by devotees for the construction of the Shri Ram Mandir.”
Chanda-Chori ; Trust purchased land worth ₹3 crore for ₹24 crore
Arvind Kejriwal stated, “The media widely reported this matter at the time, and everyone knew about it. Similarly, the Trust purchased land worth ₹3 crore for ₹24 crore, bought another plot worth ₹9 crore for ₹55 crore, and acquired land worth ₹14 crore for ₹95 crore.”
The documents relating to these transactions are in the public domain. They bought land worth ₹1 for ₹10 and siphoned off donations collected for the construction of the Shri Ram Mandir.”
Referring to the construction phase, he asserted, “When construction began, engineers recorded that officials demanded a 40% commission on every tender. Now, evidence shows that individuals also stole offerings. CCTV footage has captured ‘chanda-chori’ incidents 70 times within 40 days. The footage clearly shows people stealing on 70 occasions, and someone deleted eight months of CCTV recordings. What has surfaced so far is only a small glimpse—no one knows how much more has been stolen.”
every Sanatani is asking the biggest question
The AAP Chief questioned the response to the revelations and said, “Every Ram bhakt, every Hindu, and every Sanatani is asking the biggest question—will the authorities punish the ‘chanda-chors’? Will they catch the big names involved? It does not appear so. Since this matter came to light, authorities have tried to suppress it, destroy evidence, and intimidate witnesses. They are covering up the entire case.”
Targeting the Prime Minister’s response, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Television anchors claim that PM Modi will spare no one and will ensure punishment for the powerful. They also say he was unaware of this until recently. However, people are not willing to believe that. They are convinced that the Prime Minister knew everything. PM Modi himself constituted the Trust and personally selected every member.”Champat Rai is PM Modi’s close associate, whom he made the head of the mandir. All the authority and management rested with Champat Rai. Nothing could move in the mandir without his approval.”
Authorities demanded a 40% commission in construction
He continued, “Those who claim that PM Modi knew nothing must explain how these events kept happening for so long without his knowledge. Media reports clearly showed that people bought land for ₹2 crore and sold it for ₹18 crore—did PM Modi not know? Similarly, they purchased land worth ₹3 crore for ₹24 crore and land valued at ₹14 crore for ₹95 crore, with all documents publicly available—was PM Modi still unaware?
Authorities demanded a 40% commission in construction, ‘chanda-chori’ continued unchecked, and 200 kg of silver bricks disappeared. Bhagwan’s necklace, padukas, and other precious ornaments also went missing. CCTV cameras recorded 70 thefts within just 40 days, yet officials deleted eight months of footage. Even after all this, did PM Modi still not know?”
Raising further questions, Arvind Kejriwal stated, “There is also a representative of the Central Government on the Trust. Did that person also tell PM Modi nothing?The Prime Minister knows which voter belongs to which party at every booth across the country and decides whose vote to delete or add during the SIR process. But should we believe that he knew nothing about the theft of donations made to Prabhu Shri Ram? That is simply not possible. He knew everything.”
Intelligence Bureau (IB) submitted 12 reports to PM Modi regarding the ‘chanda-chori’
The AAP Supremo said, “We have learnt from sources that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) submitted 12 reports to PM Modi regarding the ‘chanda-chori’ at the Shri Ram Mandir. Yet no action was taken. He was only protecting his own people. We are not saying that the money reached PM Modi. We have no evidence for that and we are making no such allegation. But the sequence of events shows that PM Modi has been actively trying to shield his people and bury the entire matter.”
Questioning the constitution of the Special Investigation Team, Arvind Kejriwal said, “When the matter became impossible to suppress, they formed a weak SIT. I understand the law and have worked in the Income Tax Department. An SIT cannot legally be constituted without an FIR. This SIT is illegal and has no powers. It cannot arrest anyone, conduct raids or even issue summons.”
Sanjay Singh submitted documents related to the land scam
He added, “After forming the SIT, AAP MP Sanjay Singh submitted documents related to the land scam, but the SIT replied that investigating land transactions fell outside its jurisdiction.” Then what exactly are its powers? If it is not investigating the land scam or the construction scam, what is it investigating? They had also formed an SIT when the land scam surfaced in 2021. Nobody knows what happened to that SIT. There was no FIR, no arrest and no action. That SIT passed with time, and this one will meet the same fate. This is merely an attempt to mislead the public. They know people’s memories are short, so they will keep extending the investigation every 15 days until this SIT also quietly disappears.”
Referring to the arrests, Arvind Kejriwal stated, “They have now registered a ‘farzi’ (fake) FIR and arrested eight low-level employees who merely counted cash. ₹200 crore in cash has gone missing, yet recoveries total only ₹80 lakh. Even then they are congratulating themselves and claiming PM Modi has taken action. The most surprising part is that when the police arrest someone, they usually seek custody to question the accused about where the theft occurred and where they hid the money. However, in this case, the police neither sought custody nor conducted any interrogation and instead sent them directly to judicial custody. The authorities have apparently assured those eight junior employees not to worry, as they expect to secure bail within a few days.
BJP strongman Brij Bhushan Singh refused to speak
Speaking about the Trust, he said, “Two people, including Champat Rai, have resigned. But reports from Ayodhya continue to say that Champat Rai is still running the mandir. That is why these resignations, arrests and FIRs are all a sham. PM Modi is trying to bury the entire matter.”
Arvind Kejriwal further said, “BJP strongman Brij Bhushan Singh refused to speak, claiming that very powerful people are involved and that speaking out could harm him. Baba Bageshwar Dham also warned that revealing the real names could put his life at risk, as those individuals might not spare him and could even eliminate him. If such influential people are involved, why has no one revealed their names?”Why have the authorities not filed FIRs, made arrests, or taken action through the CBI or ED? Today, the entire country wants to know which powerful individuals the Prime Minister is protecting and why.”
Amit Shah has never visited the Shri Ram Mandir for darshan
Concluding the press conference, the AAP Chief said, “These people have no faith in Prabhu Shri Ram. They do not believe in Prabhu Shri Ram and do not seek His blessings. If they truly believed Prabhu Shri Ram was God, they would never do ‘chadhava-chori’. They would fear ‘paap’ and the consequences of their actions. have no such fear because they see Prabhu Shri Ram only as a stone idol. They need Prabhu Shri Ram and His name only for votes and money.”
Arvind Kejriwal said that Amit Shah has never visited the Shri Ram Mandir for darshan, which may surprise many people. Even after two and a half years since its inauguration, he has not gone there even once.” During the same period, however, he has referred to Prabhu Shri Ram and the Shri Ram Mandir 42 times in his speeches and interviews. They seek votes in the name of ‘Ram’ but have no time for ‘darshan’.”
These people have deeply hurt the sentiments of crores of people across the country, yet they will not take action.. Every Hindu and every Sanatani must raise their voice against this. I pray to Prabhu Shri Ram not to spare these sinners and to give them the harshest possible punishment,” the AAP Supremo concluded.
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