SC seeks status report on probe into alleged embezzlement of Ram temple donations

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file a status report on the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations made to the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Bar and Bench reported.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant also issued notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on petitions seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities. The trust manages the temple.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government, said that a Special Investigation Team had been constituted and that the probe was underway, with arrests having been made. He offered to submit a status report in a sealed cover.

The bench accepted the request and directed the state to file the report by July 20, The Hindu reported. It also asked the government to include details of the composition of the probe team.

The three-member SIT was formed on June 13 at the request of the temple trust after Opposition leaders and a whistleblower raised questions about how donations were being handled at the temple. It is expected to submit its final report on July 22.

In its preliminary report, submitted to the Uttar Pradesh home department on June 23, the SIT found 70 instances of counting staff hiding bundles of notes and...

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