Major Revelations in Ram Mandir Donation Theft Case
The donation theft case at Ayodhya's revered Ram Mandir has taken a significant turn. During Monday's proceedings, a status report presented to the Supreme Court by the Special Investigation team (SIT) revealed shocking details. The report states that CCTV footage review confirms a total of 105 incidents of donation theft, far exceeding initial estimates.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta apprised the apex court of the investigation's progress based on the SIT status report. He stated that the investigation is nearing completion and the team has identified the culprits through CCTV footage, witness statements, and technical evidence. Although donations are tracked via sophisticated software and stored securely in SBI lockers, these incidents have raised serious concerns regarding internal management and security protocols.
SIT Investigation and Legal Timeline
Following Supreme Court directives, a dedicated SIT was formed to investigate the matter thoroughly. An earlier preliminary report submitted to the state government in June had pointed to around 70 suspicious incidents between April 27 and June 5. The expanded scope of the findings highlights a systemic and continuous breach of trust.
The Supreme Court has taken the latest SIT report on record and directed the local magistrate to take prompt legal action on the upcoming chargesheet. With statutory timelines approaching for pre-trial detention, agencies are rushing to file the chargesheet to prevent default bail for the accused.
Current Status of Accused and Recovery
Eight individuals were arrested and sent to Faizabad jail following an FIR registered in June. Police investigations revealed distinct roles, including unauthorized access to donation box keys and massive cash recoveries from the residences of accused individuals such as Anukalpa Mishra and Lavkush Mishra. The case continues to attract massive public interest and judicial oversight.
