By: The Trek News Desk
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) examining alleged financial irregularities involving donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is expected to submit an interim status report to the Supreme Court on Monday, July 20. Sources indicate that the investigation is still ongoing, and the SIT may request additional time from the Uttar Pradesh government to complete its inquiry.
The expected submission follows the Supreme Court’s recent direction to the SIT to provide an update on the progress of its investigation while hearing petitions seeking a fair, transparent, and time-bound probe into the alleged misuse of temple donation funds.
The Uttar Pradesh government constituted the three-member SIT on June 13 after a request from the Trust. The panel comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S, and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan. The team was initially assigned a 15-day deadline, which was later extended by another two weeks to allow the investigation to continue.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the SIT’s preliminary nine-page report submitted to the state government led to several developments, including the registration of an FIR, the arrest of eight accused individuals, and the recovery of cash allegedly linked to the suspected diversion of donation funds. The developments were also followed by the resignations of former Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra.
Officials associated with the investigation believe the final report could recommend significant reforms in the temple’s administrative structure and its donation collection and counting mechanisms to improve transparency and financial oversight. The Trust is expected to meet in Ayodhya on July 22 to review the findings and discuss possible corrective measures.
Meanwhile, petitions pending before the Supreme Court have sought a court-monitored CBI investigation, a forensic audit, and an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) into the Trust’s financial records. The petitioners have also questioned why the SIT began its inquiry before an FIR was formally registered and have urged the court to ensure the investigation is completed within a fixed timeline.
The interim report expected on Monday is likely to provide greater clarity on the progress of the probe and could influence the next phase of judicial proceedings in the case.
Source: News Agencies
