The Supreme Court on Monday, July 20, directed the Uttar Pradesh government to seek instructions on reconstituting the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged financial irregularities in donations to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The Apex Court stressed that the investigation must be “fair, impartial” and taken to its logical conclusion.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the court would prefer an SIT “exclusively for investigation” headed by a senior IPS officer with experience in handling such cases.
“There must be an SIT exclusively for investigation headed by a senior IPS official,” the CJI observed during the hearing.
At the same time, the bench also issued a word of caution against attempts to politicise the matter. “Just a word of caution… don’t politicise the issue. Courts are not a place for politics. It’s a simple case of commission of crime. We are here only to ensure a proper investigation,” the CJI said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing in the matter, was asked to come up with names of senior IPS officers and other officials who could be included in the reconstituted SIT by the next date of hearing.
The court also indicated that it would examine the status report in detail during the next hearing and pass appropriate orders thereafter. The next hearing is scheduled for July 27.
Eight persons named in an FIR over the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya have been arrested by the Ayodhya Police. Meanwhile, the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Champat Rai, stepped down from his position.
Ram Mandir Trust To Meet on July 22, Likely To Finalise New CEO
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will hold a second meeting this month, on July 22. According to Trust general secretary Krishna Mohan, a special meeting has been scheduled at 3 pm in the Ram temple complex, followed by the regular Trust meeting at 4 pm at Maniram Chawni, the premises of Trust president Nritya Gopal Das.
As per the agenda circulated by Krishna Mohan in a letter to the trustees on July 7, the July 22 meeting will take up confirmation of proceedings of the July 6 meeting as well as the special meeting at 3 pm the same day.