A priest from a centuries-old temple near Ayodhya's Ram Mandir has accused Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and his associates of illegally seizing control of the shrine using forged documents. Hari Shankar Safariwala claims the temple, valued at Rs 50 crore, has been under their control for five years despite repeated complaints to authorities. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has called for a thorough investigation.

Ayodhya police record Champat Rai's statement in probe into alleged Ram temple donation embezzlement amid political controversy.

Ayodhya police have recorded the statement of Champat Rai, former general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, as part of the probe into alleged…