New Delhi, September 21 (TNA) A Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was informed on Monday that the Uttar Pradesh government-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) had identified 105 instances of unauthorised removal of cash in the alleged Ram Temple donation misappropriation case.
The incidents were detected through an examination of CCTV footage and other evidence collected during the investigation. The SIT’s status report was placed before the Supreme Court as it heard petitions seeking an independent probe into the alleged irregularities involving donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, told the Bench that the investigation had been substantially completed. The SIT has analysed CCTV footage, documentary evidence and witness statements to identify those allegedly involved in the case.
The Supreme Court was also informed that the SIT would file a chargesheet before the competent court by September 25. The deadline is significant because the statutory 90-day period from the first arrest in the case is scheduled to expire on that date, after which the accused could potentially seek default bail.
The status report reportedly stated that receipts for donations and other valuable articles are generated through software, while the valuables are stored in State Bank of India lockers. The court took the SIT’s report on record.
Eight people have been arrested in connection with the alleged thefts so far. Further proceedings will focus on the chargesheet and the evidence collected by the investigating agency.