SIT Finds Ram Temple Staff Ignored Instructions For Counting Of Donations: What Was The SOP?

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) looking into the alleged embezzlement of donations at Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir has found that the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the counting process was not followed. The SOP document outlines the joint responsibilities of the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Trust. A controversy erupted in the first week of June after alleged irregularities were detected in the counting of donations at the Ram temple. Following a recommendation by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted an SIT to investigate the matter. The SIT subsequently found prima facie evidence of embezzlement, following which an FIR was registered and eight persons associated with the temple’s

donation-counting process were arrested. The investigation is underway.

WHAT DOES THE SOP SAY?

The SOP mandates the deposit of funds retrieved fromdonation boxes into the bank account at regular intervals. It emphasises maintaining transparency and orderliness in the counting process in accordance with established guidelines.
Instructions are provided for the proper operation and regular inspection of note-counting machines. It prohibits the unnecessary holding of cash and mandates periodic reviews. Responsibilities regarding the appointment of staff involved in counting and record-keeping are also defined.
The SOP includes a provision for the monthly rotation of SBI officials, a measure that was evidently disregarded.

What are the Trust’s responsibilities according to the SOP?

• Overseeing the counting process to ensure transparency and authenticity.
• Verifying transactions by signing cash deposit slips, challans, registers, and other records.
• Ensuring a suitable working environment and facilities for the staff engaged in counting.

What are the joint responsibilities of the Bank and the Trust?

• Donation boxes must be opened daily in the joint presence of designated officials.
• Regular reporting and recording of the box-opening and entire counting process to ensure accountability.
• The counting room must also be opened and operated on time as a joint responsibility.

Instructions for security and surveillance

• No person entering the counting room may wear jewellery (such as gold or silver items) or enter without a uniform.
• Mandatory security searches by guards upon entry and exit.
• Proper maintenance of the visitor register.

Donation counting process

• After opening the donation boxes, the collected amount should be segregated into designated boxes and counted in a timely manner.
• All sacks/boxes must be opened and counted sequentially to ensure accurate reconciliation of the amount.
• A complete count of the cash currently held must be ensured.
• Separate records should be maintained for items received as donations and other goods.
• Instructions to securely store the items in a locker after handing them over to the trust officials.
• During the counting of currency notes, damaged or torn notes should be set aside and kept securely in the provided pouches/bags.
• Coins should be counted with the help of counting machines.

Other Important Instructions

• Carrying food items into the counting room is prohibited.
• To maintain cleanliness, snacks and meals must be consumed outside the room.
• Smoking and the use of gutkha, tobacco, bidis, and cigarettes are strictly prohibited.

CASH, GOLD RECOVERED: SIT’s BREAKTHROUGH

The investigation team has achieved a significant breakthrough while interrogating the accused, who were taken into police custody in connection with the theft of money from the Ram Mandir’s donation box. Acting on information provided by the accused, the police conducted raids at several locations late at night and recovered cash, gold jewelry, and a four-wheeler.
Items seized from the accused, Anukalp, include ₹20,000 in cash, a gold chain, a mobile phone, and a Dzire car purchased in his father’s name.
Additionally, a gold locket that the accused, Lavkush, had gifted to his wife was recovered, along with ₹38,000 in cash found in his possession. Cash amounting to ₹15,000 was recovered from the accused, Karunesh. During the investigation, the police also found concrete evidence of transactions involving the accused’s bank accounts and various other accounts. Preliminary findings indicate the accused were attempting to legitimise the stolen money by having funds laundered into their accounts from different sources.

CHANGES AT THE RAM TEMPLE

The Trust has deactivated the digital IDs of former general secretary Champat Rai, trustee Anil Mishra and special invitee Gopal Rao that were used to issue VIP darshan passes, sources said on Thursday.
According to the sources associated with the temple administration, the decision was taken by the new temple administration headed by acting general secretary Krishna Mohan as part of measures to curb alleged irregularities in the issuance of preferential entry passes.
With the IDs deactivated, no ‘Sugam’ or ‘Vishisht Darshan’ passes can now be generated through their digital credentials or recommendations.
According to sources, the SIT has found that the digital IDs of trustees and senior office-bearers, which were meant to facilitate VIP darshan for devotees recommended by them, were allegedly misused to generate passes indiscriminately. The investigation has allegedly revealed that one of the arrested accused, Tinnu Yadav, exploited this loophole to generate hundreds of unauthorised VIP darshan passes, the sources said.
They further alleged that some close associates of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra are also under the scanner for allegedly running a racket in the name of issuing VIP passes and earning lakhs of rupees illegally.
Champat Rai resigned as the trust’s general secretary, and his resignation was accepted on July 6. He was replaced by former Indian Forest Service officer Krishna Mohan, who had also lodged the FIR in the case. Trustee Anil Mishra also resigned, while Gopal Rao, a special invitee to the trust, was relieved of his responsibilities. None of the three has been named as an accused in the FIR.

With PTI inputs