'Land grab' by BJP leaders in Ayodhya, UP govt orders probe after explosive report

The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a probe into reports of relatives of BJP leaders and government officials allegedly "usurping" land near the upcoming Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

"Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered the revenue department to probe the matter thoroughly," Additional Chief Secretary, Information, Navneet Sehgal told PTI.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led the party's charge by putting out a tweet that "Hindutva robs under the guise of religion".

A report on Wednesday by The Indian Express had stated that MLAs, mayors, relatives of the commissioner, SDM and DIG bought land in Ayodhya after the Supreme Court announced the verdict in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, clearing the way for construction of the Ram temple.

Land in Ayodhya, after the Supreme Court Ram Mandir verdict, is prime real estate.

Also watch: 'Loot in Ram's name': Priyanka Gandhi demands SC probe into Ayodhya 'land grab'

Politicians and bureaucrats are reportedly rushing to buy land in Ayodhya to cash in on the anticipated price surge, the report said.

According to The Indian Express report, some of these transactions raised questions of conflict of interest given that the seller, in five cases, the Maharshi Ramayan Vidyapeeth Trust, is under scrutiny for alleged irregularities in purchase of land from Dalit villagers.

Reacting to the report, Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala termed it a "land scam", saying there is an "open loot of land inside Ayodhya city by people connected to the BJP".