As the investigation into alleged misappropriation of donations to the Ram temple in Ayodhya is progressing, new aspects of the case are coming to light. Now the needle of investigation is not limited only to the calculating employees or the people associated with the trust, but the role of bank officers and employees has also come under question. SIT has found such indications during the investigation, which have strengthened the suspicion of serious lapses in the banking system and possible collusion.
Interestingly, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nipendra Mishra has also raised questions on this issue earlier. He had asked in an interview why the banking system involved in the calculation and deposit process of donation amount was not aware of the irregularities.
The bank also had equal responsibility in the counting room.
In fact, counting the cash coming out of donation boxes is not the sole responsibility of the trust or temple employees. Officers and employees of the concerned bank are also involved in this entire process. Their role is to ensure that the process of counting, matching and depositing cash is completely transparent and as per the rules.
But sources related to the investigation say that the way the alleged misappropriation continued for a long time, it is natural to raise the question as to where was the banking monitoring system. If there was a difference in the amount during calculation then why was it not reported and why did the responsible officers not lodge objection in time.
The arrangement was being run through a private company
According to sources, the bank had handed over the work of cash counting to a private agency. This agency used to appoint employees through outsourcing and engage them in calculation work. Investigation has revealed that many people involved in the counting process were appointed on the recommendations of influential people. It is alleged that relatives, acquaintances and people close to some officials associated with the trust also became part of this arrangement. In such a situation, questions are being raised on both the fairness and monitoring of the counting process.
Bank officers appeared helpless before the influence
Sources related to the investigation say that due to the reach and influence of influential officials associated with the trust, even the bank officials were not able to strictly implement the rules. Their influence on decisions related to temple arrangements was so great that bank employees were often seen playing only a ceremonial role.
Despite many officials being aware or suspecting alleged irregularities, they did not intervene. This is why the SIT is now trying to find out whether it was merely a case of negligence or whether a deliberate strategy of turning a blind eye was adopted.
SIT is investigating the entire chain of responsibility
The investigating agency is now trying to understand at what level the lapse took place in the entire process from counting the donation amount to depositing it in the bank. If the role of bank officials was limited only to administrative negligence then the matter would be different, but if evidence of collusion or patronage is found at any level then the scope of investigation may increase further.
Now the biggest question in the Ram Mandir donation amount episode is that when all three, the Trust, the Bank and the Outsourcing Agency were present in the counting room, then how did the game of alleged rigging continue without any interruption for so long.
Role of 3 to 4 people including a bank official suspicious
According to sources, when the Trust employees used to conduct the entire process as per their wish, some bank employees also took advantage of it. There is a suspicion that some employees may have been directly involved in this. The involvement of a bank officer is also coming to light, who lives on rent in the house of a trust official. Sources say that SIT has also found some evidence related to this, which is being verified. The next phase of SIT investigation is focused on finding the answer to this question.
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