The Uttar Pradesh government has officially restructured the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged misappropriation of donations made at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. This decision comes in light of a directive from the Supreme Court that mandated the formation of a new team. The revised SIT will be led by Inspector General (IG) Kiran S, alongside Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ayodhya Somen Verma and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ayodhya Dr Gaurav Grover as integral members.

Supreme Court’s Directive and Previous SIT Findings

The Supreme Court issued its directive during a hearing on July 13, instructing the state government to establish a fresh SIT led by senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers. This order was made by a bench which included Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohan. Prior to this reconstitution, the previous SIT was composed of Lucknow Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar, among other officials. Their investigation had already reviewed various evidence, including CCTV footage, donation registers, and cash-handling procedures.

The earlier SIT had questioned multiple temple staff members and compiled a preliminary report that highlighted alleged irregularities in the processes surrounding the counting and depositing of temple offerings. These findings prompted law enforcement to arrest several key individuals implicated in the alleged misconduct, leading to the recovery of cash, vehicles, and investment-related documents purportedly acquired with misappropriated funds.

Moreover, extensive searches were conducted across multiple locations, during which digital evidence and financial records were meticulously scrutinised. The previous SIT adopted a comprehensive approach in its investigations, focusing on both physical and electronic sources of evidence relevant to the case.

Anticipated Actions and Future Steps

The newly reconstituted SIT is now expected to further the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations. Reports suggest that the team has already commenced its work, following the Supreme Court’s recent order. The apex court has mandated that a status report regarding the investigation be submitted by July 27, ensuring accountability in the ongoing probe.

The Supreme Court has emphasised that criminal inquiries, particularly those related to theft and embezzlement, are more effectively managed by experienced law enforcement officers. This insight has played a critical role in the decision to appoint senior IPS officers to lead the investigation. The reformed SIT’s focus on established police practices is expected to enhance the quality of the inquiry.

Moving forward, stakeholders and observers are keen to see the outcome of the new SIT’s efforts. The pressure to provide comprehensive and transparent findings is significant, especially in light of the nature of the allegations surrounding the temple donations. The expected status report will serve as a benchmark for assessing the current progress of the investigation and its implications for those involved.

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