Ram Mandir SIT Probe: All you need to know about donation row and who said what
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was deliberately delaying the SIT probe into the alleged embezzlement of funds
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was deliberately delaying the SIT probe into the alleged embezzlement of funds at the Ram temple in Ayodhya to prevent the truth from coming out. Speaking to reporters during a one-day visit to Kannauj, former UP chief minister said the investigation was being intentionally prolonged. "The SIT probe is being delayed so that the truth does not come out," he said. In a post on X, Yadav also took a swipe at the ongoing investigation, alleging that the authorities were buying time to destroy evidence. "The SIT should ensure that even the investigation report is not stolen. Then they will again say, wait for 15 more days. The deadline is being extended because evidence is being tampered with," he said in the post. Yadav's remarks came days after a three-member SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government began probing allegations of irregularities and embezzlement in offerings and donations received at the Ram temple. The SIT has been examining records and questioning temple functionaries and members of the temple trust as part of the inquiry. The SIT has completed its preliminary investigation and is likely to submit a report to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, according to media reports. The three-member team, led by IAS officer Vijay Vishwas Pant, has completed its preliminary inquiry and is likely to submit its initial report to the state government shortly, according to a report in Indian Express.
The procedure of the donation collection and deposition, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the individuals in the temple Trust, are also likely to be revisited, based on SIT findings, Indian Express said citing a source. What is the row? The Ram Mandir donation row is an ongoing controversy involving allegations of massive financial irregularities, theft, and misappropriation of cash and valuables offered by devotees at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had previously denied allegations of misappropriation of donation funds and maintained that all the money and valuables offered by devotees are handled through laid down procedures involving counting, verification, and secure deposit mechanisms. On Friday, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said that the “truth will prevail” after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) completed its probe into the allegations of embezzlement. Adityanath also appealed to political parties to refrain from making “baseless comments” until the investigation is over. Also Read | Yogi govt claims national record in power supply as UP meets 31,824 MW demand “The government constituted an SIT to conduct an inquiry at the request of the trust. The SIT is tasked with distinguishing between truth and falsehood. Until the SIT’s report is finalised, no statements should be made that could offend the sentiments of Ram devotees. Anyone in possession of documentary evidence is encouraged to present it to the SIT,” Adityanath said in Ayodhya.
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