The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple has cleared former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra of the allegations, according to the SIT’s final report.
The Uttar Pradesh Home Department has handed over the final report to the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for further action. The three-member SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on June 13 following a request from the temple trust.
The controversy erupted after allegations surfaced that cash and other offerings made at the Ram Temple were being siphoned off during the counting process. An earlier SIT investigation had identified serious lapses in security and supervision at the donation-counting facility.
The preliminary probe, based on CCTV footage from the counting room, reportedly identified several instances in which staff members were allegedly seen concealing cash in their clothes, pockets and footwear. The investigation also pointed to shortcomings in security protocols, including inadequate frisking and weak monitoring of personnel handling the donations.
The earlier report had also highlighted the role of Anil Mishra in relation to changes in the security protocol at the counting centre. However, the final SIT report has now cleared both Mishra and Champat Rai of the donation-theft allegations.
Both Rai and Mishra had stepped down from their positions amid the controversy, citing moral responsibility. The Trust accepted their resignations in July.
The latest development comes after the investigation drew considerable attention over alleged irregularities in the handling of donations and offerings at the temple. While the SIT has given Rai and Mishra a clean chit in the theft allegations, the probe had earlier brought to light significant administrative and security lapses in the donation-counting system.
The final report has now been submitted to the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, which will decide the next course of action based on the SIT’s findings.
