Ram Temple donation case: SIT likely to visit Ayodhya again, questions trust members | Today’s news

Special Investigation Team (The SIT) probing the alleged misappropriation of funds donated to the Ram temple in Ayodhya is expected to question members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and others associated with the temple’s donation management system, according to PTI.

Sources said PTI that the SIT plans to examine more records and interact with trust functionaries as part of its ongoing probe into the alleged misappropriation of cash and valuables donated by devotees.

The SIT, headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on June 13 following allegations of misappropriation of cash and valuables donated at the temple. The team submitted its preliminary investigation report to the state government on June 23 and Pant handed it over to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad.

According to PTI, Pant then said that a final report would be submitted after further investigation. The Uttar Pradesh government subsequently extended the SIT’s tenure by 15 days on July 1 to allow the team to complete its investigation.

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The trust is reviewing the banking system following security concerns

The alleged embezzlement has also prompted the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to review its banking arrangements for donations, PTI reported.

Currently, all the cash collected from the donation boxes of the temple is deposited in the State Bank of India (SBI) branch at Naya Ghat in Ayodhya. However, the Trust is now considering alternative measures, including appointing another bank or distributing deposits between multiple banks.

According to PTIthe review follows a meeting earlier this week between treasurer Govind Dev Giri and officials of the private sector bank in Ayodhya.

The move also comes after the former general secretary of the trust In his statement before the SIT, Champat Rai alleged that the SBI failed to put in place basic safeguards for handling large amounts of cash. These included mandatory searches of counting staff, the use of pocketless uniforms and other security measures typically used in high-value cash operations.

The SIT’s preliminary report also highlighted repeated violations of prescribed security procedures during cash counting and examined whether supervisory failure contributed to the alleged theft, sources said. PTI.

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The financial inquiry is expanding as the investigation continues

Meanwhile, the investigators have expanded the financial probe by seeking details of the accused’s income, bank accounts, movable and immovable assets and investments from the Income Tax Department, banks, tehsil offices and sub-registrar offices. PTI.

So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case, including employees of the trust involved in the donation counting process at the temple.

The investigators are also checking whether the accused acquired property outside the territory of the Czech Republic Ayodhya district or invested in the names of relatives or associates. According to PTI, the police recovered in the area ₹80 crore in cash and some jewelery from some of the accused during the investigation.

Authorities compare bank transactions with land records, property records, income documents and vehicle registrations to determine whether assets owned by the accused are out of proportion to their known sources of income.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple has tightened its security protocol by stopping the entry of devotees through VIP passes issued using the credentials of the trust’s former general secretary Champat Rai, Gopal Rao and administrator Dr. Anil Mishra. According to PTIthe identification data used to generate such passes were deactivated after the resignation of three office holders, rendering previously issued passes invalid.

The police also sought a seven-day remand for the two jailed accused, saying new information made during the investigation required verification and further securing of evidence. The anti-corruption court is scheduled to hear the lawsuit on the 14th. PTI reported.