Ram Mandir Donation Row: SIT Submits Preliminary Report To UP Home Department

The three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in offerings made at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya has submitted its preliminary report to the Home Department, according to an official statement.

The controversy erupted after allegations that crores of rupees from devotees’ offerings were unaccounted for and urged courts to take cognisance of the matter. The Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member SIT on June 13 following a request from the temple trust to investigate the allegations.

Vijay Vishwas Pant, Commissioner of the Lucknow Division and a key member of the SIT, and two members of the team submitted a preliminary report to Sanjay Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) of the Uttar

Pradesh government.

Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant stated that the submitted report is preliminary. The SIT, constituted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, is examining all aspects related to the matter and is carrying out a comprehensive investigation into the case.

Sources earlier said the SIT has completed its initial probe after six days of investigation in Ayodhya. The team questioned nearly 150 people, including trust officials, management staff, temple workers, bank employees and personnel associated with the counting process.

Sources said the SIT may recommend major changes in the temple trust’s functioning, including reconstituting the trust, appointing an executive officer on the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, increasing the role of ex-officio government members in supervising donation counting, conducting regular audits and ensuring transparent recruitment practices.