Priyanka Gandhi bats for Supreme Court-led probe into Ayodhya land deals

[bhaigan]

 

 

A day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered an inquiry into the land transactions in Ayodhya, senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Thursday argued that the probe ordered by the state government is inadequate and said the Supreme Court should investigate the matter.

The probe was ordered by the Uttar Pradesh government on a day The Indian Express published an investigative report that elected public representatives and relatives of state government officials bought land parcels in Ayodhya after the November 9, 2019 Supreme Court verdict clearing construction of a Ram temple in the district. Addressing a press conference with Congress communication department head Randeep Surjewala at the AICC headquarters, Priyanka said, “The Uttar Pradesh government yesterday (Wednesday) said that they are ordering a probe. Who is conducting the probe? A district-level officer.”

“The Ram Mandir Trust was set up on the basis of the orders of the Supreme Court. So, this investigation should be conducted through the Supreme Court. Because a district-level officer cannot hold an inquiry against a Mayor. You all know that well,” Priyanka said.

She said a “loot” is on near the Ram Temple. “BJP leaders, office bearers and officials of the Yogi Adityanath government are involved in this loot. Nobody knows how much land is there and a scam running in how many crores is taking place.”

She also alleged, “Money from the Ram Mandir Trust is being misused to benefit government officials and members of BJP and RSS. The trust is buying land at inflated rates.”