Daijiworld Media Network – Lucknow
Lucknow, Jul 26: The Uttar Pradesh government has reconstituted the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of offerings (chadhava) at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, inducting three senior IPS officers into the investigation in compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court.
The newly constituted SIT is headed by Inspector General (IG) Kiran S. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ayodhya Somen Verma and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ayodhya Dr Gaurav Grover have been appointed as members of the team.
The earlier SIT comprised Lucknow Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar and other officials.
The reconstitution follows the Supreme Court's July 13 order directing the Uttar Pradesh government to form a fresh SIT under the leadership of a senior IPS officer. The direction was issued by a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohan.
During the hearing, the Solicitor General, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, informed the court that the SIT had been constituted to ascertain the truthfulness of the allegations and had found that a cognisable offence was made out. The apex court, however, observed that the earlier SIT comprised the Lucknow Inspector General of Police and two senior IAS officers, and questioned whether such a composition would ensure a fair and transparent investigation.
The Supreme Court directed the state government to submit a status report on July 27. Following the order, the government reconstituted the SIT, and sources said the new team has already commenced its investigation.
The court's observations came a day after the earlier SIT submitted its status report in a sealed cover. During the July 13 hearing, the apex court had also issued notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on petitions seeking a comprehensive probe into the alleged irregularities.
The case relates to the alleged misappropriation of offerings made by devotees at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. During its investigation, the earlier SIT examined CCTV footage, donation registers, cash-handling procedures and financial records. It also questioned several temple employees and submitted a preliminary report highlighting alleged irregularities in the counting and depositing of donations.
Based on the findings, police arrested key accused persons and recovered cash, vehicles, investment documents and other assets allegedly acquired using the misappropriated funds. Searches were conducted at multiple locations, while investigators also examined digital evidence and financial transactions.
The newly constituted SIT will now continue the investigation and submit its status report before the Supreme Court on July 27.