SIT asks temple officials to remain in Ayodhya

A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating alleged misappropriation at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has asked the temple trust’s office-bearers and other officials to remain in the city. The SIT gave this instruction before leaving for Lucknow on Sunday for consultations with the Uttar Pradesh administration.

Sources said that daily investigation reports, which include detailed records of questioning trust officials and others involved in the probe, have been saved in digital form. These reports will be finalised before being presented to Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

This move by the SIT is a major step in the ongoing investigation into the finances of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the Ram Temple. The temple, built at the historic Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya, was consecrated in January 2024 after years of legal struggle and construction work.

It is one of India’s most important religious sites, attracting hundreds of thousands of devotees from India and abroad each month. The trust, established after the Supreme Court’s 2019 decision, oversaw the temple’s construction with public donations.

These donations, totalling hundreds of crores of rupees, were intended to build, maintain, and support the temple. The SIT has been tasked to examine possible irregularities and pilferage of funds, but the specific complaints have not been shared publicly. Temple sources said the SIT has been carrying out inquiries in Ayodhya in recent days, questioning officials and others linked to the trust.

The sources said the order to remain in Ayodhya is intended to ensure officials are available for further questioning and to avoid any delays in the investigation. These steps are common in sensitive financial cases to keep the process fair.

Saving daily reports in digital form demonstrates a modern approach to handling the investigation, the sources added.

By keeping statements, documents, and other evidence in digital form, the SIT ensures that records remain safe, easily accessible, and protected from tampering. 

Once finished, the report will be sent to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for further action. It will include findings from interviews, financial checks, and other evidence. Based on the results, the government may choose to investigate further or take other actions to fulfill a long-standing aspiration. Any allegations of financial misconduct at such a high-profile project naturally attract widespread attention.

Devotees and observers are hopeful that the investigation will be conducted thoroughly and transparently to restore public trust in the institution. The SIT’s visit to Lucknow on Sunday is believed to be linked to consultations with senior officials or the compilation of preliminary findings, the sources said.

The team is expected to return to Ayodhya to continue the investigation. Temple sources said the investigation is still ongoing and more people may be questioned soon. As the SIT continues, many are watching Ayodhya to see what happens next. More updates are expected after the final report goes to the Chief Minister’s office.