Supreme Court Orders Fresh SIT Probe into Alleged Ram Temple Donation Theft, To Monitor Investigation

The Supreme Court has directed the formation of a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of theft and misappropriation of donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Court also stated that it will monitor the progress of the investigation to ensure a fair and impartial probe.

The case relates to allegations that cash donations made by devotees at the Ram Temple were stolen or diverted. Considering the seriousness of the matter and the large volume of public contributions involved, the Supreme Court ordered that a reconstituted SIT take over the investigation.

During the hearing, the Court observed that the issue should not be politicised and stressed the importance of maintaining public trust in religious institutions. It also directed the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to preserve all donation records, receipts, and other relevant documents that may assist the investigation.

Following the controversy, the temple trust has strengthened its donation management system. The trust has introduced a new cash-counting team, implemented a two-shift counting process, and brought in supervision from the State Bank of India (SBI) during cash counting to improve transparency and accountability.

Meanwhile, police have completed the interrogation of two accused in connection with the alleged donation theft. The accused have been sent back to judicial custody as the investigation continues.

The Supreme Court's intervention is being seen as a significant step toward ensuring accountability in the handling of temple donations. The fresh SIT probe is expected to examine the alleged irregularities, identify those responsible, and recommend appropriate legal action based on its findings.