The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged pilferage of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple has informed the Supreme Court that it will file the first chargesheet in the case on or before September 25.
The assurance was given before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana, which is monitoring the investigation.
The September 25 deadline assumes significance as the statutory 90-day period from the first arrests in the case is set to expire on that date.
The FIR was registered on June 25 following an initial inquiry, while eight persons were arrested the next day in connection with the alleged theft of temple donations.
The probe concerns allegations of pilferage of cash offerings during the counting of donations at the temple. Investigators have examined CCTV footage, duty rosters, cash-handling records and statements of persons involved in the counting process. Cash and other articles have also allegedly been recovered during the investigation.
The investigation reportedly found CCTV footage showing instances in which cash collected as offerings was allegedly concealed and removed during the counting process. The material gathered by the SIT is expected to form part of the chargesheet.
The Supreme Court had intervened following petitions seeking an independent and time-bound investigation into the alleged irregularities in the handling of donations at the Ram Temple.
The Court was subsequently informed that the Uttar Pradesh government had constituted a four-member SIT headed by IPS officer Kiran S. The Court also directed that a forensic auditor be included in the investigation team.
The SIT was tasked with conducting a comprehensive probe and taking the investigation to its logical conclusion. The Supreme Court has since sought updates on the progress of the investigation.
The Court had also emphasised that the matter should not be politicised and that its concern was to ensure a fair and effective investigation into the allegations.
With the first chargesheet now expected by September 25, the SIT is set to place its findings concerning the arrested accused before the competent court. The broader investigation will continue in accordance with law.
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