Lucknow: The Supreme Court-mandated Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Wednesday filed a nearly 70,000-page charge sheet against eight arrested accused in the Ram Temple donation theft case, alleging they siphoned off cash during the counting of offerings inside Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple premises. The probe team found no evidence of pilferage during the subsequent transfer of the money to banks, the charge sheet mentions.
The chargesheet, filed before the additional district judge (anti-corruption) court in Ayodhya , draws on CCTV footage, witness statements, financial records and a forensic audit that purportedly identified 105 instances of unauthorised removal or concealment of currency from the counting room. However, there were no discrepancies in the record of over 800 donated valuable articles. A status report submitted by SIT to Supreme Court and taken on record earlier this week revealed that investigators identified 105 instances of unauthorised removal or concealment of currency from the counting room. Earlier this week, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed Supreme Court that the investigation had been completed and SIT intended to file its chargesheet by Sept 25. Taking the submission on record, the apex court directed that a copy of the chargesheet be furnished before it after filing and posted the matter for further consideration on Nov 2.
SIT, constituted pursuant to SC directions, was headed by Lucknow range IG Kiran S, with DIG Faizabad Range Somen Barma and Ayodhya SSP Gaurav Grover as members. The findings emerged from examination of CCTV footage from the counting facility housed in PFC building, along with analysis of other digital evidence. A forensic audit conducted with the assistance of ASA & Associates LLP formed a key component of the investigation. The auditors examined donation-handling procedures, online deposits, banking transactions and reconciled financial records with audited statements of the trust. The investigation relied on extensive material, including CCTV footage, witness statements, search and seizure records, bank documents, property papers, mobile phone data and call detail records.