3 hrs ago
SIT Finds 105 Unauthorised Currency Removals at Ayodhya Temple
A team is investigating claims that money donated at the Ayodhya Ram temple was mishandled.
It found 105 cases where currency was allegedly removed or hidden during counting.
The suspected actions were recorded by cameras and other digital systems.
Investigators have identified eight accused people.
They also examined their bank deposits and property to trace the suspected money.
At the same time, the team checked many valuable items and found no missing items in the groups it verified.
It questioned 173 people, including temple, banking, security and accounting staff.
The team plans to submit its first chargesheet by September 25.
The court-appointed SIT identified 105 instances of alleged unauthorised currency removal or concealment in the temple counting room.
Eight accused have been identified, with unexplained deposits and suspected investments in movable and immovable assets documented.
The SIT found no discrepancies involving specified silver items, a silver necklace, Charan Paduka, and a Ramcharitmanas-related donation.
The report said 803 valuable articles in a State Bank of India locker were physically verified without discrepancies, while 86 other articles were separately checked.
The SIT had recorded statements from 173 witnesses and is expected to file its first chargesheet by September 25.
- Who
- The court-appointed Special Investigation Team, headed by Uttar Pradesh Inspector General of Police Kiran S, is investigating suspected temple donation irregularities; eight accused have been identified.
- What
- The SIT identified 105 instances of alleged unauthorised currency removal or concealment during counting and reported no discrepancies in several categories of valuable articles.
- Where
- The alleged currency incidents occurred in the counting room at the Pilgrim Facility Centre of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
- When
- The SIT report was dated September 16; witness statements had been recorded through September 14, and the first chargesheet is expected by September 25.
- Why
- The investigation followed allegations of embezzlement and irregularities in the handling of donations at the temple.
Alleged Misappropriation
Verified Donations and Assets
Currency handling
Alleged Misappropriation
The SIT reported 105 instances of unauthorised currency removal or concealment in the counting room, allegedly involving assistance from others involved in counting.
Verified Donations and Assets
The reported incidents concern suspected currency misappropriation; the investigation is still tracing the proceeds and identifying the individuals responsible.
Valuable donations
Alleged Misappropriation
Petitioners alleged irregularities in the management of temple donations and sought a probe and forensic audit.
Verified Donations and Assets
The SIT found no discrepancies in the specified silver items, other listed valuables, 803 locker-held articles, and 86 separately verified articles.
Scope of investigation
Alleged Misappropriation
Petitioners, including RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, sought a fair and time-bound investigation, including a possible Central Bureau of Investigation probe.
Verified Donations and Assets
The SIT has pursued multiple investigative tracks, including electronic evidence, financial and property records, banking reconciliation, witness statements and physical verification of valuables.
Key facts
- Alleged currency incidents
- 105 instances of unauthorised removal or concealment were identified from CCTV footage and other digital data.
- Identified accused
- Eight accused have been identified.
- Witnesses examined
- Statements from 173 witnesses had been recorded as of September 14.
- Verified articles
- 803 valuable articles in a State Bank of India locker were physically inspected without discrepancies.
- Additional articles
- Another 86 valuable articles without issued receipts were separately identified and physically verified.
- Silver examined
- Records concerning approximately 944.411 kilograms of silver sent for melting were examined.
- Chargesheet deadline
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the first chargesheet would be filed on or before September 25.
Quotes
Special Investigation Team
Court-appointed investigative team examining alleged donation embezzlement at the Ayodhya temple
“The investigation has proceeded simultaneously on multiple aspects, including identification of the suspected acts of misappropriation, identification and examination of the persons involved, tracing of the suspected proceeds thereof, financial and property investigation, examination of electronic evidence, verification of valuable articles and reconciliation of the relevant donation and banking records.”
deccanchronicle.com
“The status report further emphasises the estimated amount misappropriated by each accused individual, also noting that existing evidence suggests the suspected misappropriation of currency took place within the counting room during the process of counting and handling the currency.”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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