Daijiworld Media Network - Ayodhya
Ayodhya, Aug 18: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has given a clean chit to former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and former Trust member Anil Mishra.
The Uttar Pradesh Home Department on Monday handed over the SIT's final report to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for further action.
Rai and Mishra had resigned from their positions in the Trust on June 27 after allegations of irregularities and theft in the management of temple donations surfaced. Both were subsequently questioned by the SIT regarding the temple's donation collection and management procedures.
According to sources, Rai denied having any role in the alleged theft during questioning. He reportedly told investigators that he had acted after becoming aware of the alleged wrongdoing and that it was on his complaint that suspects were arrested.
Rai also told investigators that ensuring there were no irregularities in the collection of donations was part of his responsibility and that he took action as soon as he became aware of the alleged misconduct.
The three-member SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on June 13 at the request of the Trust, before the Supreme Court intervened in the matter. It is headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant.
Range Inspector General Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar are the other members of the panel.
The SIT submitted its preliminary report to the state government on June 23 and made several stringent recommendations.
Based on the preliminary findings, Trust member Krishnamohan lodged a written complaint at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi police station, following which an FIR was registered on June 25.
The FIR named Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, besides other unidentified individuals.
All eight named accused have been arrested and booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The SIT's preliminary report also formed the basis for subsequent FIRs and arrest-related action in connection with the alleged donation theft.
The final report has now cleared Rai and Mishra of involvement in the alleged donation theft, while further action in the case will be taken by the Trust based on the SIT's findings.