• Source:Lavlesh Kumar Mishra

Lavlesh Kumar Mishra, Ayodhya: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donation funds at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya is now likely to file an FIR. SIT members met with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday and submitted their preliminary investigation report. The three members left for Lucknow on Saturday evening.

The investigation, reportedly, uncovered numerous cognisable offences and lapses at various levels. Among the major lapses found are Gopal Rao's role in handling important responsibilities despite not being a member of the trust, while trustee Dr Anil Mishra failed to discharge his responsibilities.

Thefts were discovered during the counting, and several people's statements did not match the documents. Following these crucial findings, the SIT will now file an FIR at the local police station and proceed with the investigation.

Legal experts said the state government's move was to uncover the facts surrounding the embezzlement case. Now that the SIT has concluded its six-day investigation and submitted its preliminary report, a crime will be registered and investigated.

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Former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Surya Kumar Shukla said that there was a mistake somewhere in the counting of the donated cash. This may have been due to collusion or negligence on the part of bank employees. These employees failed to properly discharge their responsibilities. Taking advantage of this, some employees, driven by greed, committed acts that violated people's faith. Both at the trust and at the bank levels, there was an oversight.

The state government had formed the SIT to investigate the alleged embezzlement and submit a preliminary report within six days. If a cognizable offence is found, an FIR can now be filed following the preliminary report.

Former Allahabad High Court Justice DP Singh also said that it was not wrong on the part of the government not to file an FIR before the SIT investigation. The state government can conduct a fact-finding inquiry without filing an FIR. If the preliminary investigation reveals a cognisable offence, the SIT will proceed with the FIR.

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He pointed out that the Supreme Court has issued a detailed order in this regard in the Lalit Kumar case. Meanwhile, senior Ayodhya lawyer Priyanath Singh called the SIR probe without an FIR illegal.

He argued that without filing an FIR, a case cannot be investigated. This will aid criminals, and there is a risk that evidence may be tampered with before the investigation even begins. He argues that the SIT should have filed an FIR and proceeded with the investigation.


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