Ram Temple funds probe widens, SIT asks officials to stay in Ayodhya

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of funds in the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has instructed the office-bearers of its trust and temple functionaries not to leave Ayodhya, according to temple sources.

The instruction by the three-member SIT was issued before they left for Lucknow on Sunday.

According to the temple sources, the daily investigation reports, including those related to the questioning of trust officials and other persons connected with the investigation, have been saved in digital form and the report will be given the final shape before being presented to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath.

At the same time, the SIT was sending reports of its findings to the Chief Minister's Office on a daily basis, they said.

The sources said that the SIT's probe did not remain limited to investigating the alleged embezzlement of funds, but has also covered the purchases of land in different phases by the temple trust and also the procurement of building materials for the temple.

The temple trust had allegedly purchased land above the market rates. The issue had been vocally raised by different political parties, including the Samajwadi Party and Aam Aadmi Party.

On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted an SIT following a request from the temple trust following allegations of misappropriation of donations received at the Ayodhya Ram temple.

The SIT comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan.

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