NEW DELHI, Aug 17: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya to complete its investigation expeditiously and take it to its logical conclusion.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directed the SIT to submit a status report on the progress of the investigation in a sealed cover.
The bench also asked the SIT to objectively consider suggestions made by various litigants for improving the quality and transparency of the probe.
The court observed that after examining the SIT’s report, it may issue directions to strengthen reforms in the management and handling of donations made by devotees visiting the Ram temple.
The Supreme Court had on July 27 taken note of the formation of a four-member SIT headed by IGP Kiran S to investigate the alleged misappropriation of temple donations. It had also directed the Uttar Pradesh government to include a forensic auditor in the probe team.
The court had earlier directed the SIT to submit its status report within two weeks and emphasised the need for remedial measures to ensure greater transparency in the management of donations.
On July 20, the bench had asked the Uttar Pradesh government to inform it about the possibility of constituting an SIT to investigate the allegations. On July 13, it had directed the Uttar Pradesh Police to submit a status report and issued notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The proceedings followed allegations of irregularities in the management of donations at the temple. Several petitioners, including RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, have approached the apex court seeking a fair and time-bound investigation, including a CBI probe and forensic audit of the temple trust’s finances.
