Ayodhya Ram temple donation theft: SIT submits preliminary report to Yogi

New Delhi: The Special Investigation Team probing alleged irregularities in donations to the Ram temple in Ayodhya has submitted its preliminary report to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, according to reports. The development comes as the inquiry widens beyond donation handling to include land transactions, purchase of construction material, staff appointments, records, security arrangements and valuables offered at the temple. Trust and temple functionaries have reportedly been asked not to leave Ayodhya while the probe continues. The Uttar Pradesh government had formed the three-member SIT on June 13 after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust sought an inquiry into allegations around donation management. The team includes Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General Kiran S and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan. The SIT was asked to submit a preliminary report within seven days and a final report within 15 days. Reports said daily updates from the inquiry have been sent to the Chief Minister’s Office. The probe began with allegations linked to donations and offerings made at the Ram temple. It has since expanded to the systems used for counting cash offerings, recording valuables, maintaining CCTV footage, appointing staff and supervising material purchases. Reports said investigators have examined financial records, bank documents, donation registers, CCTV footage and details of gold, silver and other valuables offered at the temple. The SIT has also questioned trust functionaries and temple staff linked to donation handling and cash counting. The matter has political sensitivity because it concerns one of the country’s most prominent religious institutions. Opposition parties have raised questions over the handling of donations and demanded transparency in the probe. Some opposition leaders have also sought a wider investigation into the allegations. The trust has maintained that it sought the inquiry to establish facts and counter misinformation around the...