THE Special InvestigationTeam (SIT) probing the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has given a clean chit to former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and former Trust member Anil Mishra. Both Rai and Mishra had stepped down from their respective positions on June 27 after allegations of irregularities in the handling of temple donations emerged. The two were subsequently questioned by the SIT as part of its investigation into the management and collection of donations at the temple. According to NDTV, the Uttar Pradesh Home Department on Monday submitted the SIT’s final report in the alleged donation theft case to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for further action. According to sources, Rai denied any involvement in the alleged irregularities during questioning. He reportedly told investigators that he had himself lodged a complaint in connection with the suspected theft, following which the accused persons were arrested.

 

Rai also maintained that ensuring transparency and preventing irregularities in the collection of donations was part of his responsibility and that he took action after becoming aware of the alleged wrongdoing. The three-member SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh Government on June 13 following a request from the temple trust. The panel was formed before the Supreme Court subsequently intervened in the matter. Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant headed the investigation team. Inspector General of Police, Range, Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar were the other members of the panel. The SIT had submitted its preliminary findings to the State Government on June 23. The report included several recommendations and subsequently led to further action in the case. Based on the preliminary findings,Trust member Krishnamohan submitted a written complaint at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Police station.