- SIT report reveals donation theft at Ayodhya Ram Temple.
- Relaxed counting room SOPs facilitated the embezzlement.
- Trust's intentions behind rule changes are questioned.
Jagran Correspondent, Ayodhya | The SIT's interim report revealed how counting personnel consistently committed theft in Ayodhya's iconic Ram Temple and how they were facilitated. The report highlighted that the rules for donation counting staff were relaxed with a malice intension.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), issued on February 6, 2025, for entry and exit, was tweaked. Previous norms for the entry and exit of the counting room, issued on September 20, 2024, were strict. There was a provision of regular/random searches as well. But later, these norms were relaxed.
SIT Questions Intention Of Relaxing SOP For Counting
The SIT questioned the reason and intention behind the changes in the SOP, stating that the circumstances under which the amendment was made by the trust officials are a matter of thorough investigation and contemplation. The report underscored that even under the relaxed provisions, it has come to light that neither regular nor random searches were conducted.
The investigation found that the above security measures were not actually followed. The report states that this was not merely a technical or procedural error, but rather deliberate negligence, which created the atmosphere for theft and embezzlement.
Several Revelations In the SIT's Interim Report
The SIT's interim report stated that the Trust has contracted with a private organisation, SIS, for the security of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple complex. An SIS personnel was also stationed just outside the counting room entrance. The SIT said monitoring the counting process was one of the Trust's primary responsibilities to ensure transparency and authenticity.
Clause 2B of the MoU signed between the Trust and the State Bank of India in February 2024 stated that the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust would ensure that appropriate security measures were in place at the premises where the bank would sort and count the notes. It further stated that it would be the sole responsibility of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust to maintain strict security in the strong boxes and safes.
The report states that, given these circumstances and provisions, it was the responsibility of the Trust officials to ensure that counting staff were thoroughly searched upon entry and exit of the counting room by security personnel provided by SIS. It is also worth noting that the guidelines regarding searches, jointly established by the Trust and the Bank, were relaxed on February 6, 2025.
Entry-Exit Norms Were Relaxed
The report found that while it was previously agreed that all persons entering and exiting the counting room would be checked by guards, this provision was relaxed and regular/surprise searches were added. It came to light that counting personnel were not entering the counting room in the prescribed uniform.
This was not addressed by the employees and the failure of counting personnel to appear in the prescribed uniform contributed to theft and embezzlement. All Trust employees responsible for implementing, supervising, and monitoring the counting management process are responsible for this serious lapse.
The SIT stated that the investigation revealed that the theft was made possible by the non-compliance of the following security measures:
- Searching was not conducted at entry and exit points
- The prescribed restriction on wearing no pockets was not enforced
- The restriction on carrying personal items was not enforced
- Hundi-wise counting was not conducted
- The amounts of various Hundis were mixed
- Denomination-wise records, vouchers, and certificates were not prepared
- Biometric attendance was not effectively implemented
- The ban on food and beverages in the counting room was not followed
- CCTV surveillance was not used as a preventive measure
- The combined effect of the above deficiencies made it possible for counting personnel to repeatedly withdraw funds.