The Supreme Court today asked the Uttar Pradesh government to include a forensic auditor in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the State to investigate the allegations of embezzlement of the donations received by the Ram Temple Trust in Ayodhya. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana also directed the SIT to submit a status report regarding its ongoing investigation.
During the hearing, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, told the Apex Court that a SIT has been constituted headed by Inspector General of Police (IG) for the Lucknow Range, IPS Officer, S Kiran. The SIT also comprises a Deputy Inspector General of Police and a Senior Superintendent of Police. The Solicitor General accepted the suggestion made by the bench that a forensic auditor be associated with the SIT.
The bench was hearing a batch of petitions seeking an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the allegations of embezzlement of donations received for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and audit of the temple Trust finances.
Earlier, the top court had issued notice on the petitions and directed the SIT constituted by the UP government file a status report on the developments thus far. Last week, the Court observed that the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft issue should not be politicized. On that same day, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had informed the Court that investigation into the allegations is ongoing and it is being conducted by the State police.
