The Supreme Court has directed a court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expedite its inquiry into allegations of embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and bring the investigation to a logical conclusion.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana instructed the SIT to submit its findings in a sealed cover. The court also urged the SIT to consider suggestions from various parties involved to enhance the quality and transparency of the investigation.
Following a review of the SIT’s report, the apex court indicated that it may issue directives for reforms in the management of funds received from devotees visiting the Ram temple. This development follows the court’s earlier observations on July 27, when it acknowledged the formation of the four-member SIT, led by IGP Kiran S, to investigate the purported financial irregularities.
At that time, the court had requested the Uttar Pradesh government to incorporate a forensic auditor into the probe team. The bench had remarked that remedial actions would be necessary to ensure transparency in the temple’s financial operations and had mandated the SIT to present a status report within two weeks.
The case originated with allegations of irregularities in the handling of donations. Several petitioners, including RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, have approached the Supreme Court seeking a comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and a forensic audit of the finances managed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Earlier, on July 20, the bench had asked the Uttar Pradesh government to evaluate the feasibility of establishing an SIT for this purpose. On July 13, the Uttar Pradesh Police was directed by the court to submit a status report on the matter, and a notice was issued to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust regarding the pleas for a fair and time-bound investigation into the alleged theft of donations.
The Chenab Times News Desk