New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Central Government, the Uttar Pradesh Government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in connection with the alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant directed the Uttar Pradesh Government to submit a status report on the investigation being carried out by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The Court also asked the government to provide details about the officers heading the probe and ordered that all CCTV footage related to the case be preserved.
Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that the status report would be filed in a sealed cover. The Bench, however, clarified that the report must include complete details regarding the constitution and composition of the SIT.
The Court posted the matter for further hearing on July 20.
The Bench was hearing four separate petitions seeking a CBI probe into the alleged donation theft and the constitution of an expert committee to review the management of temple donations.
Meanwhile, Ayodhya Police is set to produce all eight arrested accused before the court through video conferencing as their police remand ends on Monday. Police are expected to seek a seven-day extension of the remand for Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, a close aide of former Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, and Subhash Srivastava, who was in charge of counting temple donations.
The remaining accused had earlier been questioned during police remand. All eight accused are currently lodged in separate barracks at Faizabad Jail.
