Ram Temple Donation Probe: SIT Submits Preliminary Report in Ayodhya
Ram Temple Donation Probe: SIT Submits Preliminary Report in Ayodhya
Big news from Ayodhya! The SIT investigating alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations has submitted its preliminary report to the UP government. What will it reveal? Stay tuned for updates!
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed to probe alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, has submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government. This key development occurred on Tuesday after the three-member SIT spent seven days meticulously investigating the matter in Ayodhya. The probe was initiated on June 13 at the specific request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the body responsible for managing the revered temple.
The formation of the SIT followed a significant controversy that erupted after an alleged recovery of ₹10 lakh from the residence of a temple employee, Luv Kush Mishra, in Ayodhya. This incident fueled accusations of widespread embezzlement of donations, prompting the trust to seek a thorough investigation. Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant confirmed the submission of the preliminary report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad but refrained from disclosing its contents, keeping the details under wraps for now.
Officials involved in the investigation have indicated that the SIT's recommendations are likely to include measures to enhance financial transparency. It is anticipated that the team may suggest making weekly auditing of temple donations mandatory and could also recommend maintaining daily records of all cash offerings received. One of the biggest hurdles faced by the SIT was the limited availability of digital evidence, particularly CCTV footage within the temple complex, which is typically stored for only 45 days. This constraint meant investigators largely had to rely on statements from witnesses, suspects, and officials associated with the temple administration.
To address future challenges, officials have hinted that the SIT might recommend extending the CCTV storage period significantly, possibly to 180 days, to ensure better traceability and accountability. The issue has also drawn political attention, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressing serious concerns on June 7 regarding alleged irregularities in donations amounting to crores, describing the situation as "shameful" for the temple trust. In response, Champat Rai, the Trust’s general secretary, affirmed that internal audits were regularly conducted and an ongoing exercise had not yet revealed any significant anomalies. Before concluding their field investigation in Ayodhya and returning to Lucknow on June 21, the SIT also issued a directive to the temple trust and its functionaries, asking them not to leave the city.
