The Uttar Pradesh government handed over the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) final report regarding the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft case to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Teerth Kshetra Trust on Tuesday. This development follows extensive inquiries into allegations of systematic theft of donations offered at the historic temple.
Sources indicate that the Home Department delivered the SIT report alongside recommendations for necessary action. This handover signifies a major step in addressing the alleged embezzlement of funds intended for the temple, an issue that has attracted significant public and legal scrutiny.
The government initially constituted the SIT to investigate claims of financial irregularities related to donations made to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. Following these developments, the SIT underwent reconstitution, appointing three senior IPS officers: IG Kiran S, DIG Ayodhya Somen Verma, and SSP Ayodhya Dr. Gaurav Grover to lead the investigation. The previous SIT included Lucknow Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar among other officials.
On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that the status report regarding the SIT’s probe into financial irregularities cannot be disclosed to petitioners at this stage. However, the Court permitted those concerned to submit suggestions regarding the ongoing investigation to the Solicitor General. This move aims to involve public interest in the investigation without compromising its integrity.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed the newly restructured SIT to present a status report in the forthcoming hearing. This directive emphasizes the Court’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in this high-profile case.
This alleged multi-lakh rupee donation scam involves serious accusations of temple personnel and bank employees engaging in systematic theft and misappropriation of funds. These allegations have sparked a political uproar, with the Opposition demanding accountability from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership.
In connection with the case, eight individuals have been arrested, including Avinash Shukla, Ankalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Rama Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Rama Shankar alias Tinnu. All suspects have entered judicial remand following their arrests.
The FIR, filed on June 25, at the Ram Janmabhoomi Police Station by Krishanmohan, a trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, alleges a conspiracy involving temple staff responsible for handling devotees’ offerings. The complaint details systematic theft and misappropriation of funds, raising questions about management practices.
The allegations have amplified political dissent, making the case a focal point in broader discussions about transparency and governance in sacred institutions. As the investigation continues, the circumstances surrounding the alleged misappropriation of donation funds remain under intense scrutiny.
