SC to hear CBI probe on Ram temple donation plea on July 13: From gold to share market; key revelations so far | Today’s news
The Supreme Court will hear petitions on Monday (July 13) seeking an independent probe into allegations of theft of donations at the iconic Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana will hear the pleas, Live Law reported.
What did the proponents demand?
One of the petitions filed by Narendra Kumar Goswami demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigate the matter, the report added.
Quick answers to key questions
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The allegations include embezzlement of donations with an investigation uncovering improper counting procedures and the systematic concealment of cash by employees during the donation counting process.
The Supreme Court is hearing petitions seeking an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into allegations of theft of donations at a temple.
The petitioners are demanding a forensic audit of the temple trust’s finances and publication of all donation records on the trust’s official website to increase public transparency.
The proposals include keeping all financial records, limiting trust in making major financial decisions without oversight, and conducting a comprehensive forensic audit of all transactions and donations.
Yes, many believe the trust should be held accountable, particularly as senior members have resigned amid ongoing investigations, highlighting the need for accountability in the management of donations.
Goswami also asked the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to audit the finances of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Theerth Kshetra Trust, the trust that manages the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
A second petition filed by Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav sought a similar direction for a CBI investigation.
Read also | Ayodhya Ram Temple: SIT finds prima facie evidence of endowment theft
A third petition filed by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh demanded a forensic audit of the entire finances of the temple trust in light of the scam, in addition to a CBI probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court, Live Law reported.
The PIL seeks directions to preserve all financial records, including physical documents, digital ledgers, UPI transaction logs and bank statements to prevent any alleged tampering of evidence, the report added.
The Claimant further sought an order preventing the Trust from making major investments, entering into major contracts or making major financial decisions without the prior approval of the proposed Supervisory Committee.
Read also | Why is Ram Temple Trust not covered by RTI Act amid donation row? Explained
The cause of action also sought a comprehensive forensic audit of all the Trust’s gifts, transactions and assets by an independent agency.
He further demanded that the Trust be ordered to publish audited financial statements and donation records on its official website in the interest of public transparency.
The petition also sought a comprehensive forensic audit of the Trust’s accounts, donations, offerings, bank transactions and financial records by an independent agency of unquestioned credibility, with the audit report to be submitted to the Supreme Court.
He sought a direction requiring the Trust to submit to the Supreme Court a full statement of all donations and contributions received since its inception, including cash donations, bank transfers, digital payments, foreign contributions, gifts in kind, gold, silver and other valuables, along with details of their accounting, custody and utilization.
What is the case of ‘theft of gifts’ in the Ram temple?
A major controversy erupted in the first week of June after alleged irregularities were found in the counting of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government and is investigating the case separately.
A preliminary investigation found that some of the embezzled money was allegedly invested in the stock market and lent on interest, a police source told PTI on Thursday.
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Meanwhile, several transactions were routed through the bank accounts of relatives and close associates, they said.
The SIT probe has pointed to serious security lapses in the Ram Mandir counting room in Ayodhya.
It claimed staff there allegedly hid wads of cash in their clothes, pockets, shoes and other personal belongings, suggesting the alleged theft was “systematic” and repeated, rather than isolated incidents.
According to the SIT, CCTV footage reviewed between April 27 and June 5 captured around 70 suspicious incidents of employees allegedly seen hiding cash packets.
Read also | Sanjay Singh submits documents to SIT on alleged land irregularities in Ram temple
Pointing to lapses in security protocols, the SIT reportedly said that “there was no search of personnel at the entry and exit points of the counting hall along with poor surveillance of personal belongings carried in and out by employees.”
According to the report, the accused in the donation theft at the Ram temple also used forged receipts to collect money from devotees, police said as investigations progressed on Wednesday, July 8.
Arrest and resignation
So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case. A preliminary report by the three-member SIT named Avinash Shukla as the main accused in the case.
The report linked Avinash to a suspected 40-day scam involving nearly 70 cases of theft from the donation counting system, sources told PTI on Wednesday.
Besides, the Ram temple Trust said that former General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Anil Mishra have ceased to be members after their resignations were accepted at the previous meeting of the Trust.
Read also | Ram Mandir trust blocks VIP darshan passes of Champat Rai, Anil Mishra
Trust general secretary Champat Rai holds “absolutely no grudges” over his resignation and is in good health, Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri said on Monday.
Besides, the police have frozen 30 bank accounts belonging to the relatives of the three accused — Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra and Karunesh Pandey. Police on Wednesday took the three accused into custody for questioning after a local court granted their remand.
Sources told PTI that searches conducted at the residences of the three accused led to the recovery of wads of cash, gold jewellery, including earrings and lockets, and a car.
Adityanath defends Ram temple trust
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday defended the Ram temple’s trust, saying the SIT probing the alleged donation theft had found evidence against only eight of the nearly 150 people involved in counting the victims.
“You must have heard the recent news. The Congress and the Samajwadi Party have suddenly become active. They are parties that have historically criticized Ayodhya and they have found an issue to exploit,” Adityanath said while addressing a rally after dedicating projects worth more than ₹950 crore for the public in the holy city.
Read also | The Ram Mandir donation series is at a critical stage as the SIT submits its first report to the government
The Chief Minister said that the Trust itself informed the government that it had received information about the alleged theft during the counting of donations and asked for a high-level SIT.
He said around 150 people are engaged in counting offerings at the temple and the alleged wrongdoing involves only a handful of individuals.
“We accepted the recommendations of the Trust and formed a high-level SIT. An investigation was conducted and evidence showed that only six people were found to have stolen. Besides, two more people were found to be part of the conspiracy, making the total eight persons. The SIT submitted its recommendations to the Trust, after which the Trust filed a First Information Report (FIR) and action was taken,” he said.
Adityanath disputed the opposition’s criticism, saying, “When action has been taken against the accused, what is the justification for defaming the entire Trust, questioning Ayodhya and insulting the legacy of Lord Ram? It seems the Congress and the Samajwadi Party have entered into a pact to attack India’s faith.”
“Every devotee of Lord Ram and every citizen who respects the Indian faith must take heed,” he said.
