AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on Friday (June 26, 2026) described as a "sham" the FIR registered in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple, claiming only junior employees were targeted while "bigger people" were being protected.

After offering prayers at the Hanumangarhi temple, Mr. Kejriwal, accompanied by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) RS MP and Uttar Pradesh in-charge Sanjay Singh, told reporters that he had prayed for the well-being and prosperity of everyone.

"I prayed that whoever is guilty of this 'maha paap' (grave sin) should receive the strictest possible punishment from God," he said referring to the alleged theft of donations at the temple.

On the FIR lodged by the Ayodhya Police, the former Delhi Chief Minister said, "The FIR is merely an eyewash and a sham. Eight low-level employees have been arrested in this case. This scam had been going on for such a long time. It is obvious that junior employees alone could not have carried out such activities for so long. The links of this scam go much higher up, but there is an attempt to shield the big people while placing the entire blame on the heads of these small employees."

Eight persons named in an FIR over the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya have been arrested, senior officials said on Friday.

The FIR, lodged at the instance of Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, follows recommendations made in the preliminary report of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the allegations.

The FIR was lodged two days after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government submitted its preliminary report containing several "strong recommendations" to the State government.

The FIR, lodged at the instance of Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, follows recommendations made in the preliminary report of a SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the allegations.