‘Videography Of Cash Removal, Pocketless Dress Code’: SIT Recommends Reforms In Ram Temple Donation Probe

Ayodhya: The special investigation team (SIT) constituted to probe the alleged Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case has recommended several reforms, including videographing the process of the removal of cash from donation boxes, in the wake of the allegations. Notably, the matter has snowballed into a major political controversy as opposition parties are targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre and Uttar Pradesh. The SIT comprises Vijay Vishwas Pant, IAS, Divisional Commissioner, Lucknow; Kiran S, IPS, IG (Range); and Neel Ratan, Special Secretary, Finance. According to reports, the SIT has been directed to submit its report as soon as possible. According to sources, the process of removing cash from donation boxes and transporting

it in Ayodhya will now be videographed. After the allegations were leveled, the people involved in counting donations at the Ram Temple have been changed, and the team deployed by the bank for counting cash has also been replaced.The duties of volunteers engaged in the process have also been changed, and different personnel have been assigned for supervision. Existing rules are now being enforced more strictly, with a dress code mandating that only pocketless clothing be worn inside the counting room. Noe even employees will also undergo frisking while exiting the counting room.Dedicated personnel have been assigned to continuously monitor CCTV feeds, particularly those covering the counting room. The sources said these instructions were issued by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to temple management authorities while the probe is still underway. Meanwhile, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai has also been questioned.

Recommendations Made By SIT:

• Key individuals associated with the case should not be allowed to leave Ayodhya, as they may need to be questioned again during the course of the investigation.
• The process of removing cash from donation boxes and transporting it in Ayodhya will now be videographed.
• The Ram Temple Trust should be restructured, with responsibilities distributed equally among all members.
• An administrative officer should be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the temple trust.
• The SIT should be given additional time to conduct a detailed investigation.
• A professional approach should be adopted for the management of the temple.
• Weekly audits should be conducted for the counting of donations.
• Daily records should be maintained for cash offerings received at the temple.
• The directions issued by the Supreme Court regarding the functioning of the trust should be fully implemented.
• The retention period for CCTV footage should be increased from 45 days to 180 days.

Hearing In Ram Temple Donation Theft Case:

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court is likely to hear today a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding allegations of theft of donations offered at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbSJ-WUc_n8

The petition has sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or any other independent agency. It has also demanded that the donations received by the temple be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). Earlier, on June 19, the court could not take up the matter due to lack of time.