As the investigation into alleged embezzlement of donations in Ayodhya’s Shri Ram temple is progressing, new challenges are also being posed to the investigating agencies. The biggest difficulty is to gather evidence that can reveal the layers of this game that has been going on for a long time. According to sources related to the investigation, the backup of CCTV cameras installed in the temple premises remains safe only for 45 days. In such a situation, if the process of misappropriation of donations was going on for several months, then the initial digital evidence of it is no longer available. SIT and other investigating agencies are now busy collecting evidence through available CCTV footage, computer records, pen drives and digital devices.
Investigators suspect that some footage and digital records may have been tampered with. For this reason, the help of forensic experts is being taken so that the deleted or changed data can be recovered. So that it can be found out whether any electronic evidence was altered or not. Another challenge before the investigating agencies is that if the game of alleged embezzlement continues for a long time, not only direct evidence but the entire link will have to be created by linking financial documents, duty rosters, statements of employees and banking records.
At what level did the lapse occur in monitoring?
This is why the focus of the investigation is no longer limited to the alleged theft of cash, but it is also being ascertained at what level of monitoring lapses took place and whether any organized network carried out this entire incident. Sources say that forensic report can play a decisive role in this case. If there are signs of deleted data or suspicious activities from digital devices, the investigation may get a new direction. At the same time, due to non-availability of old footage, investigators may have to rely to a great extent on circumstantial evidence and statements of witnesses.
The Ram temple donation issue has already become the center of political and social debate. In such a situation, the investigating agencies are not only under pressure to bring out the truth, but also have the responsibility to prove that no culprit will be spared in this matter related to the faith of crores of devotees. At present, the direction of the investigation depends on how much new evidence comes to light from the forensic investigation and how strong a chargesheet can be prepared from the available digital records.
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