Ram Temple donation probe extended; SIT to examine systemic failures

An investigation into alleged irregularities in the collection of donations for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has been granted an extension. The Uttar Pradesh government has given the three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) until July 15 to complete its probe.

Officials stated that the additional time will allow investigators to broaden their inquiry beyond the eight individuals already arrested. The SIT aims to determine if systemic failures, procedural violations, and institutional negligence contributed to the alleged embezzlement of funds. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved the extension after the SIT requested more time for a comprehensive investigation.

The SIT members, including Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, inspector general Kiran S, and special secretary Neel Ratan, are expected to revisit Ayodhya. Their focus will be on tracing the movement of cash offerings from donation boxes to bank accounts and identifying accountability at each step. The investigation is also examining the institutional framework governing donation handling following the arrests.

Specifically, the probe will assess whether lapses by officials responsible for supervision and manpower created opportunities for alleged irregularities. It will also scrutinize the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling, counting, and banking donations, evaluating their sufficiency and identifying why they allegedly failed. The role of State Bank of India officials involved in the temple's cash management system will also be examined, determining if their actions constituted negligence or deliberate facilitation.

The SIT was formed on June 13 at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the temple. After submitting a preliminary report on June 23 that indicated irregularities, a First Information Report was filed on June 25, leading to the arrests. The investigation will also look into trust functionaries responsible for overseeing the donation management system.

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The government directed the team to submit its report by July 15.