Ram Temple donation case: SIT to focus on money trail

Lucknow: The three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the alleged misappropriation of Ram Temple donations is set to begin its investigation in Ayodhya from Monday.The SIT, comprising Ayodhya Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police (Lucknow Range) Kiran S, and Special Secretary Neel Ratan Kumar, will reach Ayodhya and launch a detailed inquiry into the case, officials said.Ahead of the field investigation, officers associated with the SIT held extensive deliberations in Lucknow on Sunday to finalize the probe strategy, define the scope of the inquiry, and prepare an action plan for the coming days.Sources said the investigation will primarily focus on tracing the money trail, verifying the recovery made so far, and determining the role of every individual linked to the alleged embezzlement.The inquiry is expected to begin with an examination of the statements and disclosures made by the five suspects who were earlier apprehended by the temple trust.Investigators will seek to establish the complete chain of transactions, including who withdrew the money, where the funds were transferred, who ultimately received them, and how the amount was utilized.

The SIT is also expected to question trust functionaries, employees and other individuals whose names emerge during the investigation. Officials will collect records related to the trust’s internal action, scrutinize financial transactions and verify whether the recovered amount matches the alleged misappropriated funds.Sources said investigators will conduct a detailed reconciliation of cash recoveries, account records and transaction details to identify any discrepancies and determine the exact extent of the alleged embezzlement.To strengthen the investigation, a dedicated technical and field-support team is also being constituted. The team is likely to include inspector-rank police officers and specialists who will assist the SIT in examining financial records, digital evidence and transaction trails.Officials indicated that the probe would be conducted in a systematic, layer-by-layer manner to uncover the full extent of the alleged fraud and identify all those involved.The state government had constituted the SIT within 24 hours of the matter coming to light and directed it to submit a preliminary report within seven days and a final report within fifteen days.