The Special Investigation Team (SIT) that is investigating the alleged embezzlements of donations at the Ram Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya is expected to submit its report to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government within the next 24 hours, sources told India TV on Thursday. The report is expected to shed more light on how the theft was carried out by the accused.
Based on the final report, the state government is expected to take further action.
The SIT has found that Champat Rai's close aide Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav was not an official member of the Ram Temple Trust's structure but was involved in the temple's management. According to sources, Tinnu had access to all the temple's sensitive information and had unlimited access in the administration. He even had keys to the donation boxes (hundis).
The irregularities in recruitment process was one of the main reasons identified by the SIT for the alleged theft, sources said, while adding that the counting staff was hired on recommendation of trust officials without following the prescribed rules and procedures.
SOPs ignored, Supreme Court takes cognisance
The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were not followed by the temple administration appropriately, which led to the alleged theft. In its preliminary report, the SIT has recommended registering a first information report (FIR) and the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), on which action is already underway, sources told India TV.
The alleged theft at the Ram Temple has caused a row across the country, with even the Supreme Court taking a cognisance of the matter. On Monday, A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant also issued notices to the central and the state governments over petitions seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The bench consisting Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohna, which also issued a notice to the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, also directed the SIT comprising Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kiran S to file a status report.
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