Many aspects of donation 'theft' probe done, chargesheet to be filed end of next month: Police

The investigation team probing alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya has concluded various aspects of the case, according to the Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Grover. The team, known as the Special Investigation Team (SIT), is expected to file a chargesheet in court by the end of next month, with the probe having a 90-day deadline.

Grover clarified that the SIT is not conducting a separate investigation but is acting as a high-level probe adviser in the ongoing police investigation. The SIT chairman, Lucknow IGP Kiran S, has five years of experience in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Sources at the temple report that no prominent individual has faced legal action yet in the alleged embezzlement case.

The FIR registered on June 25 has led to the arrest of eight accused, including former temple trust general secretary Champat Rai's close aide Tinnu Yadav, among others. The Uttar Pradesh government informed the Supreme Court on July 27 about setting up a four-member special investigating team, led by IGP Kiran S, to probe the alleged embezzlement. The team will submit its first status report within two weeks and includes a forensic auditor.