New Delhi: The investigation into the theft of offerings from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is proceeding rapidly. An SIT is conducting the probe, and everyone is awaiting the final report. So far, eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. The SIT is expected to submit its final report very soon.
According to sources, the report will implicate not only those directly involved in the theft but also individuals responsible for lapses in supervision and administration. The UP government has constituted a three-member team to investigate the matter seriously.
Recommendations will also be provided to prevent such irregularities in the future. The SIT has clarified that the investigation is still ongoing; the full picture will emerge only once the probe is complete. The SIT has gathered documents, electronic devices, and CCTV footage, in addition to recording the statements of the accused.
Action Likely Against Officials and Staff
Sources indicate that the final report will not merely identify those directly involved in the theft; it will also examine which officials’ negligence allowed the theft to go undetected for such a long period.
The SIT investigation is scrutinising whether supervisory officers and the staff responsible for collecting and counting the offerings adhered to established protocols. It is also examining how early warning signs were overlooked. The report will cover every stage of the process f,, from the security of donation boxes and the counting of funds to bank deposits, supervision, and auditing.
The SIT is also determining whether prescribed procedures were followed. Lapses in supervision, documentation, access control, and record-keeping paved the way for the theft of the offerings. Once the investigation concludes, the team will submit its report, which will form the basis for further action.
Politics Continues Over Theft of Offerings
The theft of offerings from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has now become a subject of political debate. The BJP, which governs the state under the ‘double-engine’ mode,l and opposition political parties are at loggerheads over this issue. The Samajwadi Party has accused the BJP of involvement in the theft of temple donations. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was the first to allege the theft of offerings made at the temple; subsequently, an investigation led to the recovery of large amounts of cash from the homes of employees.
Meanwhile, the BJP is accusing the Samajwadi Party and the Congress of refusing to acknowledge the existence of Lord Ram. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is consistently targeting the opposition at every event.
