'FIR should be lodged against those rumour-mongering': VHP chief Alok Kumar backs Ram Temple Trust Treasurer

New Delhi, June 28 (IANS) Vishva Hindu Parishad International President Alok Kumar on Sunday urged for legal action against those spreading "bizzare rumours" and backed the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj that "all donated gold ornaments and silver bricks are safe", while asserting that anyone, irrespective of their positions, found guilty in the Ram Temple embezzlement case will be punished.

Speaking to IANS about the Ram Temple embezzlement row, Kumar said: "If the investigation was against only those eight people, then it won't hold any meaning that is why officials at all levels are being probed."

Refuting the Opposition's claims that ornaments worth crores have been stolen from the donations made at the Ram Temple, the VHP International President added: "The Ram Temple Trust Treasurer (Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj) has said that the gold and silver ornaments are intact.

It is an irresponsible, bizzare rumour-mongering in order to benefit from the situation and an attempt to spread dissatisfaction among all the Hindus."

"This rumour-mongering is a crime under Section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita," Kumar asserted while urging the police to summon people spreading such "rumours" for questioning.

"If it is found to be unverified and manufactured news then FIR should be lodged and subsequent action should be taken against those spreading such misinformation," he added.

Alok Kumar urged the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to tell the police about who all are spreading such "bizarre rumours".

However, the VHP International President appealed the investigators to probe all accusations in the case.

"All big and small fishes should be investigated without any mercy and action should be taken against whoever is involved," he said.

While responding to Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav's remarks on Ayodhya, Alok Kumar backed CM Yogi Adityanath's accusation against Akhilesh Yadav and his party's having a history of opposing Hindu religious traditions and questioning their commitment to the development of the temple town.