The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The decision was taken during a Trust meeting held on Thursday, as confirmed by Trust General Secretary Champat Rai in a press briefing.
Details of the Investigation
According to Champat Rai, the SIT will be headed by former Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh, Brij Lal. The team includes retired IPS officer V.K. Singh and a senior forensic expert. The SIT has been tasked with conducting a thorough probe into the missing donation amount, which is reported to be around Rs 1.2 crore.
The Trust has also suspended two temple employees, including a chief priest, pending the investigation. Rai stated that the Trust is committed to transparency and will take strict action against anyone found guilty. "We have zero tolerance for any wrongdoing. The SIT will submit its report within 15 days," he said.
Background of the Incident
The alleged theft came to light when a routine audit of donation boxes revealed a significant shortfall. Donation boxes are opened periodically, and the collections are counted and deposited in the bank. The discrepancy was noticed during a recent count.
The Ram Temple, a major pilgrimage site, receives large donations daily from devotees. The Trust manages the temple's finances and operations. The incident has caused concern among devotees, but the Trust has assured that security measures are being strengthened.
Reactions and Next Steps
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken note of the incident and directed the police to cooperate with the SIT. The opposition has criticized the Trust, demanding a full disclosure of temple finances.
Champat Rai emphasized that the Trust is cooperating fully with the investigation. "We want to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. We are implementing new protocols for handling donations," he added. The SIT is expected to examine CCTV footage, financial records, and interview potential witnesses.
