The figure of 105 incidents is higher than the 70 incidents identified in the earlier interim probe. The SIT’s latest report also examined allegations concerning valuable donations. The Supreme Court was informed that no discrepancies were found in the handling of several high-value items, including silver bricks and other offerings, while records for 803 valuable articles were verified and the items were found secured in an SBI locker.
The Supreme Court-appointed SIT was constituted after petitions sought an independent investigation into alleged irregularities in the management of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The probe includes a forensic auditor following the court’s directions.
The Supreme Court has so far declined to make the SIT’s detailed report public, saying it would first examine the findings and determine whether further investigation or directions were required. The court has directed that the investigation be taken to its logical conclusion.
Ramesh alleged that the delay in filing the chargesheet could benefit the accused by making them eligible for statutory or default bail if the prescribed period expires without a chargesheet. He also questioned whether those allegedly responsible for the wider irregularities were being adequately investigated.
The Congress has demanded a forensic audit of the entire donation system, strict action against those found responsible and complete transparency in the investigation.
The allegations first surfaced in June, following claims of irregularities in the handling of donations at the Ayodhya temple. Several petitioners, including RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, subsequently approached the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored probe and a forensic audit of the temple trust’s finances.
With PTI inputs
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