Thiruvananthapuram | CPI(M) veteran and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday sought a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations collected for the construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple, terming the reports of large-scale financial irregularities "extremely serious."

In a Facebook post, Vijayan alleged that those who exploited the faith and emotions of the people for political gains had also carried out an organised financial fraud under its cover.

He claimed that the trustees of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had links with the top leadership of Sangh Parivar organisations.

The Leader of Opposition in the Assembly said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had officiated at the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple, was duty-bound to respond to the issue.

He also said the Trust, constituted by the Centre through an order placed before Parliament, was now under a cloud of suspicion.

"The Trust and those leading it has the responsibility to explain where the money collected by exploiting the devotion of the people has gone," Vijayan said.

Describing the alleged embezzlement as the latest example exposing the "true nature" of Sangh Parivar politics, he urged the Centre to order an impartial, high-level investigation under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court.

The controversy over the alleged embezzlement of donations surfaced on June 7.

Following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13.

Based on the SIT's preliminary findings, an FIR was registered on June 25.

Police have arrested eight persons in connection with the case, all of whom have been remanded in judicial custody till June 29.

Uttar Pradesh government officials have said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed strict action against anyone found guilty.