Ram Mandir Donation Theft Row: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and the UP government in the alleged Ram temple donation theft row. While hearing on the pleas seeking an independent inquiry into the theft row, the top court directed the UP SIT to submit its status report on probe. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant-led bench posted the matter for further hearing next Monday.
Mention Composition Of SIT: SC
"We direct SIT constituted by the State of Uttar Pradesh to submit a status report . Post this matter for further consideration on next Monday. Please also mention the composition of SIT in the status report", the Court said.
While appearing on behalf of the Centre and the UP government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta asserted that the status report of the probe will be filed in a sealed cover. However, the bench turned down the request to defer the issuance of notice to the temple trust, further seeking details of composition of the SIT.
Petitioner Seeks CBI Probe
Narendra Kumar Goswami, one of the petitioners, sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter. Apart from this, he also demanded an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of the finances of the trust, responsible for managing the finances of the temple.
Earlier, the apex court had refused to hear the matter on an urgent basis by citing the ongoing probe. Apart from this, the Allahabad High Court also refused to entertain the petitions as the petitioners had already approached the supreme court. The UP police registered an FIR and detained eight individuals following the initial findings of the SIT.
The special team further stated that several individuals are being questioned for further details, adding that few individuals have been found hiding the money in the initial probe. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that a strict action will be taken against those responsible based on the findings of the SIT.