The Supreme Court on Monday directed that a forensic auditor be inducted into the newly constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged misappropriation of donations made at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. The Court also asked the SIT to file an interim status report within two weeks, while making it clear that it would continue to monitor the investigation.
At the outset of the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh Government, informed the Bench that the State had constituted a fresh SIT headed by Inspector General of Police Kiran S. He said the team comprises a Deputy Inspector General, a Senior Superintendent of Police and an Additional Superintendent of Police. It was also submitted that DIG (Ayodhya) Somen Barma and SSP (Ayodhya) Gaurav Grover are members of the SIT.
When it was suggested that an independent financial expert should be associated with the probe, the Solicitor General agreed to include one in the investigation. Recording the submission, the Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana directed that the SIT shall also include one forensic auditor to assist in tracing the financial trail and examining the alleged diversion of donation funds.
The Court emphasised that its immediate priority was to ensure a swift, impartial and qualitative investigation into the allegations. It observed that the proceedings would not be closed at this stage and that the Court would continue monitoring the probe.
The Bench also indicated that issues relating to transparency in the management of temple donations and remedial measures could be considered at a later stage. During the hearing, Senior Advocate Devdatt Kamat suggested that donations received by the Trust could be periodically disclosed on its website so that devotees are able to verify that their contributions have reached the intended destination. The Court, however, stated that its present focus was on completing the investigation.