"Made Up": Nripendra Misra On Allegations Of Irregularities In Ram Temple Construction

Ram temple construction committee chairman Nripendra Misra has responded to media reports about a purported letter written by the temple trust's former general secretary, Champat Rai.

The unsigned letter attributed to Rai surfaced on social media on Thursday. Rai, who has not yet given a statement on the matter so far, had resigned on moral grounds soon after investigation began into the Ram temple offerings theft case.

Misra told reporters today he has not seen the letter. He said the media reports are "made-up" to "create controversy everywhere."

"I have not seen any such letter. Until I see the letter, all I can tell you is that this is probably something you have made up. Perhaps there is no such letter or criticism. Even if it is a nine-page letter, I am sure it would not contain any such criticism. You are simply making this up because you want to create controversy everywhere. You are presenting this to me only with the intention of creating controversy," Misra told reporters.

The purported letter by Rai details Misra's role in the construction of the Ram temple, selection of agencies, decisions of the construction committee and management of the 70-acre temple complex.

The letter alleged Misra brought "some persons of his interest" into the construction committee that he heads.

NDTV could not independently verify the contents of the unsigned letter.

Misra was elected chairman of the temple construction committee in February 2020. Before that, he served as principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Meanwhile, Rai, who resigned from the temple trust in June, serves as vice president of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).

At least eight people have been arrested in the temple offerings theft case.