The Supreme Court today asked the Uttar Pradesh government to apprise it about the possibility of setting up an SIT to probe the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and cautioned the litigants not to politicise the issue. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, to take instructions on whether the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which had examined the entire issue before the registration of the FIR, could be entrusted with the responsibility to probe the case instead of the local police.

The apex court will hear plea again on 27th of July, when Uttar Prdesh Government will apprise it about SIT probe in the matter. The CJI said it is a simple case of commission of crime and the court is just to ensure a proper investigation. Mr Mehta said investigation is going on and eight persons have been arrested. He said the SIT was constituted to find out the truth. Now it is being probed by the police. The SIT just found that there is a cognisable offence.”

The petition said a CBI-led multi-disciplinary SIT should investigate the alleged financial irregularities and other purported illegalities concerning the affairs and administration of the temple trust.

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