The Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed to probe the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, submitted a preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday.
The three-member SIT was formed on June 13 at the request of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which runs the temple. The move came in the wake of the alleged recovery of $10 lakh from the residence of a temple employee, Luv Kush Mishra, in Ayodhya, sparking controversy over alleged misappropriation.
Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant said the special investigation team has handed over its preliminary report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad. He declined to share details about the contents.
The Special Investigation Committee comprising Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neil Ratan submitted the initial report after spending seven days in Ayodhya from June 15 to 22.
Weekly audit of donations at the temple is likely to become mandatory, officials said. They added that the special investigation team could recommend keeping daily records of cash offers.
Officials have described the limited availability of digital evidence, with CCTV footage of the temple complex being stored for only 45 days, as one of the biggest challenges faced by the SIT. They added that investigators relied largely on the statements of witnesses, suspects and officials associated with the temple management in the absence of sufficient digital evidence.
The special investigation team may recommend extending the storage period of CCTVs to 180 days, officials said.
On June 7, opposition Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed concern over allegations of irregularities in donations worth crores of rupees and termed the situation with the temple trust as shameful.
Champat Rai, Secretary General of the Fund, confirmed that internal audits were being conducted regularly and that a similar practice was underway. He confirmed that nothing noticeable appeared.
