SIT to revisit Ayodhya as probe expands in Ram temple funds embezzlement case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple will revisit Ayodhya soon to investigate documents and question members
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple will revisit Ayodhya soon to investigate documents and question members of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, as the probe focuses on analysing financial transactions and safety loopholes, a senior Uttar Pradesh government official said. The Uttar Pradesh Government formed the SIT on June 13 in response to allegations of misappropriation involving cash and valuables contributed to the temple. The SIT presented its initial findings to the State government on June 23, which was delivered to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad.
At that time, the SIT indicated that the final report would be provided following additional investigations. On July 1, the State government extended the SIT’s duration by 15 days to finalise the inquiry report. SOPs not followed The SIT consisting of Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General (Lucknow Range) Kiran S, and Special Secretary in the Finance department Neelratan Kumar in its preliminary report to the State government on June 23 has uncovered prima facie evidence of theft and pilferage during the donation counting at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
Based on the SIT report, the petition for registering a First Information Report (FIR) was filed by the Trust. The report suggests that required security measures and standard operating procedures, such as frisking, biometric attendance, restrictions on personal items, CCTV monitoring, and other protective protocols outlined in the trust’s SOPs, were not adequately implemented. The Congress described the wider probe and likely revisit to Ayodhya as eyewash in an attempt to save powerful individuals. “Such revisit and claims of detailed and wider investigation are an eyewash.
The SIT named small people as accused in the case, the big people close to the ruling dispensation are not named at all. It clearly hints that the actual lawbreakers are being shielded by the government. We are constantly demanding a Supreme Court-monitored probe in the matter,” said Uttar Pradesh Congress unit president Ajay Rai.
The BriefWire