UP Congress chief Ajay Rai claims ‘arrest’ in Ayodhya ahead of Ram temple visit amid donation row

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai had travelled to Ayodhya with a Congress delegation for a scheduled visit to the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.

Updated on: Jun 30, 2026, 11:09:52 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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Amid the ongoing controversy over the alleged embezzlement of Ram Janmabhoomi temple donations, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai on Tuesday alleged that he was arrested by the police after arriving in Ayodhya to offer prayers at the Ram temple with a party delegation.

Rai had travelled to Ayodhya with a Congress delegation for a scheduled visit to the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. (HT_PRINT)

The Uttar Pradesh Congress also alleged that its state president, Ajay Rai, had been placed under house arrest in Ayodhya, calling the move a “cowardly attempt.”

Rai was stopped at the guest house of Kumarganj Agriculture University, around 60 km from the Ayodhya headquarters. Raebareli MP Kishori Lal Sharma was held back near Ayodhya, while Barabanki MP Tanuj Punia was detained in Barabanki. They were part of a Congress delegation scheduled to visit Ayodhya amid the ongoing probe and interact with people there.

Also read | ₹5 lakh fine if Ram temple donation case accused represented: Ayodhya lawyers' body to members

Reacting to the incident, Rai attacked the Uttar Pradesh government in a post on X (formerly Twitter), accusing it of acting out of fear amid the ongoing controversy over the alleged temple donation scam.

"The dictatorship of the BJP government is at its peak! A delegation from the Uttar Pradesh Congress was scheduled to visit Ayodhya today, June 30th, to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Shri Ram. As soon as I arrived in Ayodhya, the BJP government panicked so much that the police arrested me from my hotel and are taking me away in their jeep. Why are these 'offering thieves'--who are involved in land scams and the theft of donations in Ayodhya--so afraid of Ram devotees coming here? This cowardly attempt to guard faith by those who run shops in the name of the Lord is highly condemnable. We will neither stop nor bow down!"

Congress alleges another leader was detained

The Congress also claimed that Pratapgarh district president Neeraj Tripathi, who was accompanying Rai during the Ayodhya visit, was detained by the police.

In another post on X, the Uttar Pradesh Congress questioned the action taken against its leaders and said preventing devotees from visiting the Ram temple was unconstitutional.

Also read | Weak safeguards at Ram temple; other major UP shrines follow tighter cash control

“Has it now become a crime in UP to even have darshan of Lord Shri Ram Yesterday, that is, on 30 June, a program has been proposed for the Congress delegation, under the leadership of State President Shri Ajay Rai (@kashikirai) ji, to visit Ayodhya and have darshan and worship of Lord Shri Ram. But the BJP government, scared of this journey, has started cowardly actions! Just a short while ago, the Congress District President of Pratapgarh,@neeraj70001ji, has been placed under house arrest (detained) by the police without stating any clear reason," the post on X read.

Donation scam investigation continues

The latest political confrontation comes as the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir remains under investigation.

On Monday, a local court in Ayodhya sent all the accused in the alleged donation scam to 14 days of judicial custody. The order came as the Uttar Pradesh Police continued its high-intensity probe into allegations of financial irregularities and the alleged misappropriation of funds and offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple.

Also read | Cops collect evidence from SBI officials in Ayodhya Ram Temple donation case

Meanwhile, family members of the accused arrived at the Ayodhya District Jail to meet their relatives. Ravi Yadav, son of accused Tinnu Yadav, and Shani Yadav, brother of accused Manish Yadav, were seen visiting the prison where the accused are currently lodged.

The alleged donation scam has now become the centre of a wider political confrontation in Uttar Pradesh, with the ruling BJP and Opposition parties exchanging allegations over the management of the temple's finances as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues its investigation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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