Multiple aspects of the investigation into allegations of misappropriation of funds donated for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya have already been examined. Ayodhya’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Gaurav Grover, stated that the charge sheet would be submitted to the court by the end of next month.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Grover stated that there is a directive to complete the investigation within 90 days. The charge sheet will be submitted to the court within that timeframe. He mentioned that he is regularly monitoring the progress of the investigation and providing necessary guidance to the investigating officers.
He also explained the role of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the probe. Grover stated that the SIT is not conducting a separate investigation; rather, acting as a high-level investigative advisor, it is coordinating the police investigation. The SIT is headed by Kiran S., the Inspector General (IG) of Lucknow. Grover noted that Kiran S. has five years of experience working with the CBI.
According to sources associated with the temple, no legal action has been taken against any influential person in connection with this incident so far. However, sources claim that the SIT had previously raised serious questions regarding the role of Anil Mishra, a former member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
An FIR was lodged at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station in Ayodhya on June 25 regarding allegations of misappropriation of temple donations. The police arrested eight individuals in connection with the case. The accused include Tinnu Yadav (a close associate of the temple trust’s former General Secretary Champat Rai), Subhash Srivastava (who was responsible for counting the money), Ramshankar Mishra, Manish Yadav, Karunesh, Lavkush Mishra, Anukalpa, and Avinash Shukla.
The police have taken all eight accused persons into custody for interrogation. The Supreme Court is also monitoring the progress of the investigation in this case. On July 27, the Uttar Pradesh government informed the apex court that a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by IG Kiran S., had been constituted to probe allegations of misappropriation of donations meant for the Ram Mandir. Subsequently, the Supreme Court directed the inclusion of a forensic auditor as a fifth member of the SIT. The SIT has also been instructed to submit its first status report within the stipulated timeframe.
Appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted via a government notification issued on July 25, following the apex court’s suggestion. In addition to an Inspector General (IG), the team includes an officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), and an Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP).
Earlier, on July 20, the Supreme Court had asked the Uttar Pradesh government to state its position regarding the possibility of constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of misappropriation of Ram Mandir donation funds.
Meanwhile, Kalika Mishra, President of the Faizabad Bar Association, stated that they are prepared to take action against Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao. He asserted that if the names of these three individuals are not included in the FIR, the Bar Association would soon move the court to demand the filing of an FIR against them.
A heated debate is already underway regarding investigations, arrests, and the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) concerning allegations of the misappropriation of donations meant for the Ram Mandir. The case is expected to reach a critical stage following the submission of the police charge sheet at the end of next month.
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