‘Investigation should be impartial, not political’…Supreme Court is strict in the case of theft of Ram temple offering.

A hearing was held in the Supreme Court on Monday in the case of alleged theft of offerings in Ram temple. During this, the Supreme Court heard the petitions in which a CBI investigation was demanded into the alleged embezzlement of offerings. The bench hearing this case included Chief Justice (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana.

In fact, during the last hearing, the Supreme Court had issued notices on the petitions and directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the UP government to file a status report on the progress of the case. Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, said that the status report has been filed as per the court order. He said that investigation is going on and arrests have also been made. The bench saw the status report, after which the CJI asked who is currently investigating the case.

CJI asked SG for answers

SG replied that now the police is investigating. SIT had conducted preliminary investigation of the case. Chief Justice Surya Kant said that responsible officers were included in the SIT. SG confirmed that two IAS officers were involved. The CJI asked whether the SIT could be reconstituted, to which the SG said he had no objection. Meanwhile, another lawyer tried to intervene, to which the CJI said that this forum is not for politics.

The petitioner again made allegations

The CJI told the SG that the court will proceed on the basis of the report submitted. The petitioner said that gold and silver were also donated and media reports have revealed that these things are missing. He claimed he had the receipts. The petitioners demanded transparency in the investigation and insisted that various aspects of the case be made public.

Instructions to form SIT for investigation

CJI directed SG to constitute SIT for the ongoing investigation. He suggested that an officer from the previous SIT could be appointed as its head, as he had knowledge of the case, and asked the SG to consider it. He ordered reconstitution of the SIT and said that the court will issue any further necessary instructions.

Now hearing will be held next Monday

Concluding his speech, CJI Surya Kant warned against politicization of this issue. The investigation should be impartial and taken to its logical conclusion. The next hearing of the case will now be held next Monday.