A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to examine allegations of misappropriation of donation funds at the Ram Mandir visited the temple complex on Monday as part of its inquiry.
According to news agency PTI, the three-member team entered the premises through Gate No. 11 and began its investigation into the allegations linked to donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The SIT was formed on Saturday following instructions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the temple trust sought a formal probe into the matter. The trust had requested an investigation to verify the facts and counter claims that it said were aimed at damaging the temple's reputation.
The panel comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S, and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan.
The SIT has been tasked with conducting a detailed inquiry into the allegations and will submit its findings to the state government, according to officials.
Speaking to reporters in Ayodhya on Monday, Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra said the investigation would be carried out thoroughly. “There are two aspects to the investigation – criminal and future improvement. We will be able to win the trust of the devotees only when both are addressed,” Mishra, who has been camping in Ayodhya for the past three days, told PTI.
Meanwhile, a fresh political development emerged after Sharad Shukla, a functionary of the Uttar Pradesh Youth Congress, put up a banner in Ayodhya warning against any misuse of temple funds. The banner stated that anyone attempting to steal the wealth or property of the Ram temple would suffer punishment and also carried a verse from the Skand Purana, which translates to “Lord Ram Lalla will do justice.”
The controversy began on June 7 when Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav referred to reports alleging that crores of rupees donated to the Ram temple were unaccounted for and called for judicial intervention in the matter.
Responding to the allegations, temple trust General Secretary Champat Rai said that internal audits were being conducted and that no evidence supporting the claims had surfaced so far.
