UP reconstitutes SIT in Ram Temple donation misappropriation case; three IPS officers will lead the probe | Today’s news

The Uttar Pradesh government has reconstituted the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of victims at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya and has appointed three senior IPS officers to conduct the probe in line with the Supreme Court’s directive, reports ANI.

The newly constituted SIT is headed by Inspector General (IG) Kiran S, with Ayodhya Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Somen Verma and Ayodhya Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr. Gaurav Grover.

The earlier SIT consisted of Lucknow Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar and other officials.

The movement came along the SC direction

The move follows the Supreme Court’s July 13 order directing the Uttar Pradesh government to form a new SIT headed by a senior IPS officer. The direction was issued by a Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohan.

The Supreme Court also asked the state government to submit a status report on July 27. Acting on the order, the Uttar Pradesh government has reconstituted the SIT and sources said the new team has already started its investigation.

The case relates to the alleged misappropriation of gifts (chadhava) offered by devotees at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple.

The previous SIT conducted an extensive probe by examining CCTV footage, donation registers, cash handling procedures and financial records. She also questioned several temple employees before submitting a preliminary report that pointed to alleged irregularities in the counting and depositing of temple offerings.

The SIT will submit a status report on July 27

Based on the investigation, the police arrested the key accused and recovered the cash, vehicles, investment-related documents and other assets allegedly bought with the embezzled funds. Investigators also conducted searches at multiple locations and examined digital evidence and financial transactions.

When the Supreme Court ordered the reconstruction of the SIT, it noted that the investigation of crimes and the technical examination of theft-related cases are better handled by experienced police officers.

The newly formed SIT is expected to continue the investigation and submit its status report to the Supreme Court on July 27.