4 hrs ago
Supreme Court Told Ram Mandir Theft Cases Number 105
The Supreme Court is examining a case about offerings allegedly being stolen at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
The court was told that cameras recorded 105 possible thefts.
An earlier report had mentioned about 70 incidents.
Investigators studied camera footage, witness statements and other evidence.
Eight people have already been arrested in connection with the case.
The temple’s offerings and valuables are recorded through software and stored in a State Bank of India locker.
Officials said the investigation is almost finished.
They plan to submit the charge sheet by September 25.
The court did not give the petitioners a copy of the investigation report.
A lawyer said the filing deadline is important because a late charge sheet could affect whether accused people qualify for statutory bail.
The Supreme Court was told CCTV footage showed 105 offering-theft incidents, not the previously reported 70.
The Special Investigation Team identified suspects using CCTV footage, witness statements and other evidence.
Eight accused were previously arrested after footage allegedly showed them hiding currency bundles in pockets and shoes.
The Solicitor General said the investigation was nearly complete and the charge sheet would be filed by September 25.
The court refused petitioners’ request for the SIT report and directed the magistrate to proceed according to law.
- Who
- The Special Investigation Team, the Solicitor General, the Supreme Court, petitioners and eight arrested accused.
- What
- The court was informed that CCTV footage showed 105 suspected incidents of offerings being stolen from the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
- Where
- The alleged thefts occurred at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, while the matter is before the Supreme Court.
- When
- The update was given on Monday; the earlier CCTV incidents were recorded between April 27 and June 5, and the charge sheet is due by September 25.
- Why
- The court is overseeing the investigation and determining how the case should proceed, including the charge-sheet deadline and possible further investigation.
Investigation and Prosecution Position
Petitioners and Defense Concerns
Number of theft incidents
Investigation and Prosecution Position
The Solicitor General told the court that the SIT’s review of CCTV footage identified 105 incidents.
Petitioners and Defense Concerns
The earlier preliminary report had referred to around 70 suspected incidents, creating a discrepancy in the reported total.
Access to the SIT report
Investigation and Prosecution Position
The Supreme Court accepted the SIT status report and chose to keep the matter within the jurisdiction of the Sessions Judge.
Petitioners and Defense Concerns
The petitioners sought a copy of the SIT report but were not given one.
Charge-sheet deadline
Investigation and Prosecution Position
The prosecution said the investigation was nearly complete and committed to filing the charge sheet by September 25.
Petitioners and Defense Concerns
Senior advocate Shivam Pandey argued that if the charge sheet is not filed within the applicable 90-day period, the accused may become entitled to statutory or default bail.
Key facts
- Reported incidents
- 105 incidents were said to have been captured by CCTV, compared with an earlier figure of about 70.
- Earlier investigation period
- The first SIT report referred to footage recorded from April 27 to June 5.
- Arrests
- Eight accused had been arrested.
- Evidence examined
- CCTV footage, witness statements and other evidence.
- Charge-sheet deadline
- The Solicitor General said the charge sheet would be filed by September 25.
- Offerings storage
- Receipts and valuables are processed through software and kept in a State Bank of India locker.
- Court decision
- The Supreme Court placed the SIT status report on record but refused to provide it to the petitioners.
Sources
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