UP govt forms SIT to probe 'irregularities' on trust's request

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a high-level, three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of financial irregularities and missing funds at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

The state government took the decision within twenty-four hours of receiving a formal request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which sought an impartial inquiry to dispel public rumors and safeguard its institutional credibility.  The controversy gathered intense momentum earlier this month when political leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, flagged concerns over claims that multi-crore donations made by global devotees had reportedly gone missing.

Tension escalated dramatically on the ground when investigators detained a local resident, identified as Lav Kush, and recovered unaccounted cash from the premises of a cash-counting employee in Ayodhya.  Headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, the SIT also includes Inspector General of Police Kiran S. and Special Secretary of Finance Neel Ratan.

The high-powered panel is tasked with auditing financial logs, scanning bank accounts, and reviewing temple CCTV registries. The panel must submit a preliminary evaluation within seven days and a final conclusive report within fifteen days.  While Trust General Secretary Champat Rai initially dismissed the allegations, maintaining that regular joint audits with the State Bank of India revealed no discrepancies, the Trust maintains that a deep conspiracy is at play to tarnish the temple's image.

Rival political factions and veteran leaders from the ruling party have similarly demanded absolute structural transparency regarding the temple assets. Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra welcomed the swift governmental intervention, emphasizing that strict action would follow the diagnostic findings.