The Uttar Pradesh Home Department on Tuesday officially submitted the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) final report regarding the donation theft case at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. This crucial development comes amidst ongoing scrutiny surrounding the temple’s finances. The report has been handed over to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Teerth Kshetra Trust, as confirmed by sources.
According to sources, this submission follows extensive actions taken by the Uttar Pradesh government aimed at investigating the alleged embezzlement of donations intended for the temple. The case has drawn significant attention due to the serious allegations surrounding the temple’s financial integrity.
The Uttar Pradesh government reconstituted the SIT tasked with probing the accusations of misappropriation. This revamped team now includes three senior IPS officers, led by Inspector General Kiran S. The team also comprises Deputy Inspector General of Police Ayodhya, Somen Verma, and Senior Superintendent of Police Ayodhya, Dr. Gaurav Grover. The previous SIT consisted of Lucknow Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar, alongside other officials.
On Monday, the Supreme Court clarified that the SIT’s status report submitted to the government regarding financial irregularities cannot be shared with petitioners or the public at this initial phase. However, the court has encouraged petitioners and public-minded individuals to submit suggestions regarding the investigation, which will be reviewed by the Solicitor General and presented before the SIT.
This inquiry arises from serious allegations claiming systematic theft of donations by temple employees, with the purported scam involving substantial amounts of money. The opposition parties have demanded increased accountability from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party over this scandal, seemingly fueling political tensions.
As part of the ongoing investigation, eight individuals have been arrested, namely Avinash Shukla, Ankalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Rama Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Rama Shankar alias Tinnu. They have been remanded judicially as the case progresses through the court system.
The First Information Report (FIR) for this case was lodged on June 25 at the Ram Janmabhoomi Police Station after a complaint from Krishanmohan, a member of the temple trust. The complaint highlights a conspiracy involving temple employees tasked with counting donations, alleging that systemic theft and misappropriation occurred within their ranks.
The allegations have exacerbated a political divide, as the controversy surrounding the temple’s donations has not only raised concerns over financial management but has also prompted calls for accountability from both sides of the political spectrum. The investigation persists, with ongoing examinations of the circumstances and charges surrounding these alleged irregularities.
As developments unfold, the case continues to attract public interest, particularly given the temple’s significance and the implications for the broader political landscape. The future proceedings of the SIT and responses from both the trust and the government will significantly influence the investigation’s trajectory and public discourse on accountability within religious institutions.