Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri 'hurt and saddened' over donation theft row but denies role in counting

Ayodhya, July 5 (IANS) Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri, facing flak over the donation theft controversy, clarified on Sunday that he was hurt, saddened and ashamed over the incident and was never involved in the cash counting process.

Breaking his silence on the controversy getting murkier by each day, the Temple Treasurer said that he resides in Pune, remains on the move for religious discourses and visits Ayodhya only once a month.

"I did not take a single rupee from the Trust," claimed Govind Dev Giri in a detailed two-page statement, even as calls to bring his role under scrutiny only get louder and shriller than before.

He supported calls for a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter, while terming the alleged embezzlement at the temple as “unbelievable and deeply hurtful” for the devotees.

He stated that the entire details of the theft – stolen cash and offerings, the timings as well as the modus operandi are all under investigation.