Ayodhya: The newly constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) has escalated its probe into the alleged donation theft case at the Ram Mandir, following instructions from the Supreme Court. The SIT has issued notices to over 200 people, including the then General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai.
Led by IG Kiran S, with oversight from DIG Somen Barma and SSP Dr. Gaurav Grover, the SIT is leaving no stone unturned. Apart from the eight main accused, police notices have reached relatives, associates, and other suspects linked to the case. Trust members Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao have also received notices. The investigation team is preparing to re-examine the trustees and thoroughly scrutinise their connections, documents, bank accounts, and properties. To ensure a comprehensive investigation, forensic experts and senior chartered accountants will soon join the probe panel.
The police have already interrogated the accused on remand and made necessary recoveries. The primary focus of the new SIT is to ensure that no link is missed and every fact is verified meticulously. They have also completed an online review of the findings from the first SIT.
Meanwhile, Trust member Mahant Dinendra Das stated that the investigation into the alleged irregularities concerning gold, silver, and other offerings made by devotees has reached its final stage. This statement follows the Trust’s recent implementation of strict monitoring measures to enhance transparency in the donation collection and counting process.
According to Das, continuous videography has been mandated since July 25 for every stage of the donation handling process. This includes everything from removing empty boxes from the counting room to transporting, filling, sealing, and returning them. An eight-member monitoring team, comprising bank employees, Trust representatives, and private security personnel, has been deployed to oversee the process.
To prevent further lapses, the 40 donation boxes placed across the temple complex are now emptied on different days rather than all at once. The Trust has installed two professional videographers and 360-degree cameras to record the entire procedure, along with additional CCTV cameras inside the counting room. State Bank of India officials seal the donation boxes as soon as they arrive in the counting room.
These enhanced security measures were initiated weeks after the initial SIT began its inquiry into the alleged theft, which led to the arrest of several accused individuals.