The Uttar Pradesh government has informed the Supreme Court that the chargesheet in the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case in Ayodhya will be filed by September 25. The assurance was given during a hearing on September 21, when the Supreme Court reviewed the progress of the investigation into allegations concerning the handling of donations at the Ram Temple.
The case relates to allegations of theft and misappropriation of cash received as donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. The investigation is being conducted by a Special Investigation Team. According to the latest information placed before the Supreme Court, the investigation has substantially progressed and the investigating agency has identified the persons allegedly involved in the case.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, informed a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant that the chargesheet would be filed within two days. The bench also included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana. The Supreme Court took note of the SIT status report submitted during the proceedings.
The investigation has reportedly relied on CCTV footage, financial records, donation records, recovery of material and other evidence. The SIT informed the court that it had identified 105 alleged instances of unauthorised removal of cash from donations. Investigators examined CCTV footage and other records to reconstruct the alleged movement of donation money.
Eight people have been arrested in connection with the case. The accused are associated with the process of handling and counting donations at the temple. They were arrested after an FIR was registered following an earlier investigation into alleged irregularities in the management of temple donations.
The case came under greater judicial scrutiny after petitions were filed before the Supreme Court seeking an independent and time bound investigation into the allegations. Petitioners had also sought wider scrutiny of the financial handling of donations and had raised concerns regarding alleged irregularities.
The Supreme Court subsequently directed the Uttar Pradesh authorities to provide updates on the investigation. The court also asked the authorities to ensure that the investigation was completed expeditiously and taken to its logical conclusion.
The latest proceedings focused on the completion of the investigation and the filing of the chargesheet. The court noted that the statutory investigation period was approaching its deadline. The chargesheet is therefore expected to be filed before the jurisdictional court by September 25.
According to reports based on the SIT investigation, CCTV footage played an important role in identifying the alleged instances of unauthorised removal of cash. Investigators also examined donation handling procedures, records related to cash deposits and other documentary material. The investigation has also examined the process followed for handling valuable articles donated to the temple.
The SIT has separately reported that it did not find discrepancies in the handling of certain valuable donations, including silver items and other articles that had been the subject of allegations in public discussions. This indicates that the investigation has examined different categories of donations separately rather than treating all allegations as established.
The Supreme Court has so far continued to monitor the progress of the investigation but has indicated that it does not intend to take the matter away from the jurisdictional Sessions Court at this stage. The apex court has also kept open the possibility of further investigation if required under the applicable legal provisions.
The chargesheet will now be an important stage in the criminal proceedings. It is expected to place before the trial court the evidence collected by investigators, the allegations against the accused and the provisions of law invoked in the case.
However, the allegations against the arrested persons remain subject to judicial proceedings. An arrest or an allegation does not by itself establish guilt, and the accused will have the opportunity to contest the charges before the competent court.
The Supreme Court's monitoring of the case is expected to continue as the chargesheet is filed and the lower court proceeds with the matter. The investigation and subsequent court proceedings will determine the legal status of the allegations and the responsibility, if any, of the accused.