New Delhi, 27 July. In the Ayodhya-based Shri Ram Temple offering theft case, the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday informed the Supreme Court that on the instructions of the apex court, it has constituted a second Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a transparent investigation of the case.
In fact, the bench comprising Chief Justice (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana heard the temple offering theft case today. During this, the Uttar Pradesh government presented its side before the bench. Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the state government, told the top court that SIT has been constituted again for a transparent investigation of the case.
Lucknow Range IG Kiran S to head new SIT
Following the previous instructions of the Supreme Court, the command of this new SIT has been handed over to senior officers. The Solicitor General said that as per the suggestion of the Supreme Court, Lucknow Range Inspector General of Police (IG) Kiran S has been made the head of the SIT. This three-member SIT includes two other senior IPS officers – Ayodhya Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Somen Burma and Ayodhya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Grover.
SIT Financial auditor will join
During the hearing, the Supreme Court suggested that a chartered accountant should also be included in the team to investigate financial irregularities. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta agreed to this suggestion of the court and assured the court that a chartered accountant will also be included in the SIT.
The Supreme Court said during the hearing, ‘It is stated that the state has issued an order to form the SIT because the investigation involves misappropriation of funds, therefore the SG has agreed that an auditor with experience in forensic audit will also be added as a member of the SIT. We direct the SIT to submit a status report on the ongoing investigation.
The bench also said that at this time the entire focus of the court is on conducting a fair and deep investigation into the Ram Mandir donation theft case. The court said, ‘We must conduct a speedy, quality, impartial and transparent investigation.’
During the hearing of the case, the petitioner’s lawyer demanded from the court that all the receipts received by the Ram Mandir Trust should be made public on the area-wise website, so that the general public can get complete information about it. He said that this is not a protest petition but is necessary for transparency. Senior advocate Devdutt Kamat, appearing for the petitioners, said that devotees from all over the country give hundred, five hundred and thousand rupees. Their details should also be available on the trust’s web site.
On this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the petitioner’s suggestion and said that this delicate matter should not be sensationalized unnecessarily. CJI said, ‘Forensic auditor should also be in the committee. We want quality, transparent and timely investigation.
2 Next hearing after a week
At present, the Supreme Court has taken on record the three IPS officers appointed in the SIT formed by the UP government. Also, the court said in its order that the SIT will file the status report of its investigation in this case on the next hearing. The hearing of this case will now take place after two weeks.
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