Should CBI Probe Ram Temple Donation Theft? Allahabad High Court to Decide
Indiadailyupdate.com – The Lucknow branch of the Allahabad High Court is set to examine a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that calls for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate suspected theft of donations made at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. A division bench led by Justices Ranjan Roy and Manjeev Shukla will address the case, which also demands an audit of the temple’s financial records by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
Initiated on June 12, the petition emphasizes the need for a transparent and unbiased inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of funds. It further requests that the investigation be overseen by a senior police officer holding the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP). The petitioner has highlighted the importance of scrutinizing the collection, allocation, and management of cash, gold, silver, and other items donated to the site.
Investigation Progress and Evidence
As of now, the Ayodhya Police, which is handling the case, has detained eight individuals linked to the incident. An FIR was filed on June 13 following a preliminary report from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the Uttar Pradesh government. Investigators have also retrieved deleted CCTV footage, which is believed to depict the suspects hiding currency notes during their removal from the temple complex.
Trust Meeting and Leadership Review
Amid the ongoing debate, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust plans to convene a critical meeting on Monday afternoon. This session will evaluate the findings of the SIT’s investigation into the donation theft and determine the fate of its general secretary, Champat Rai, and trustee Anil Mishra, who may be asked to resign. The agenda is also expected to cover potential appointments to vital roles within the trust, contingent on the resignation decisions.
“The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and RSS are entirely responsible for the theft at the Ayodhya temple,” asserted Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal, who has advocated for a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations and offerings at the Ram Temple.
