Ayodhya: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged embezzlement of donation funds at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has intensified. Sources told Times Now that Anil Mishra, the former trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, is likely to be named in the final report of the SIT.
The sources further claimed that the SIT can suggest taking action against Anil Mishra, and the final report will be submitted to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s office by July 15.
Notably, Mishra was responsible for the donation, and even former general secretary of the trust Champat Rai has tried to sideline himself by saying that he wasn’t aware of the standard operating procedures (SoPs). Mishra and Rai submitted their resignations from the post on June 26 after the controversy snowballed into a larger political row. Their resignations were accepted during the trust’s key meeting held on July 6.
Earlier in the day, Ram Temple Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri met Champat Rai. During the meeting, Rai raised questions on Anil Mishra and SBI officials.
SIT Flags 70 Thefts:
The SIT on Monday found widespread procedural lapses and flagged 70 suspicious incidents, many of them during the counting of cash offerings. The preliminary findings of the SIT were with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust.
According to the findings, CCTV footage reviewed by the SIT points to repeated irregularities, including suspected instances of theft. The report notes that standard operating procedures (SOPs) were not consistently followed, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the donation handling process.
The investigators highlighted gaps in supervision and security, including inadequate frisking protocols.
According to the report, the case is not limited to theft by a few employees; it also exposes major flaws in the temple’s overall donation management system and a lack of effective supervision. The SIT found that cash and valuables were stolen during the counting of donations. The report says these were not isolated incidents but occurred repeatedly over several days.
CCTV footage examined during the investigation allegedly shows several employees removing cash from bundles of currency notes, concealing loose notes, and engaging in other suspicious activities. On multiple occasions, employees were allegedly seen pocketing currency notes, tampering with bundles of cash, and behaving suspiciously during the counting process.