Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple located in Ayodhya is not just an architectural structure made of stones and marble, but it is the ultimate center of unwavering devotion, sacrifice and faith of crores of Sanatan Dharma followers in the country and abroad. From poor laborers to billionaires, many devotees have been offering some part of their hard-earned money at the feet of Lord Shri Ram for the construction and maintenance of Shri Ram Temple. The devotees have suffered a major shock due to large scale misappropriation and theft of these donations and offerings. But it would be completely wrong to say that his faith in Ayodhya Dham or Sanatan has wavered due to this episode. It is definitely that they want layer by layer disclosure of this entire matter. People want to know who were the participants in the great sin committed in this temple of faith?
In this much-discussed episode, CCTV footage shows that the amount of offerings was being stolen in a planned manner by the employees involved in counting and managing the cash. Many arrests have been made in this case on the report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the state government. And, this matter has also reached the Supreme Court. Keep in mind that the dispute of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi was resolved only by the decision of the Supreme Court and it was handed over to the Hindu side.
After this, only on the instructions of the Supreme Court Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was formed, which was entrusted with the responsibility of construction and management of Shri Ram Temple. In such a situation, considering the sensitivity and scope of the offering theft case and the apprehensions of white collars and financial nexus involved in it, it seems necessary that the Supreme Court should hand over the investigation of this entire case to a central agency like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Constitutional limits of state agency
There are many strong reasons behind the need to get this matter investigated by central agencies, such as intensive investigation of inter-state and international money trails and benami properties. The offerings to Ram temple are not limited to any one state. Apart from all the states of the country, it also includes the contribution of non-resident Indians and foreign devotees. Preliminary investigation by SIT has found evidence of purchase of expensive cars, jewellery, immovable properties and real estate investments with the stolen money.
The local police or state level SIT has constitutional and technical limitations to investigate networks outside the state, investigate money laundering, benami properties and hawala transactions etc. Whereas, central agencies like ED or CBI are fully capable of uncovering layers of international, inter-state connections and complex financial crimes.
Suresh Bahadur Singh, former Additional Government Advocate, Allahabad High Court
Central agency should be under the supervision of Supreme Court
If the investigation is done by a central agency, then the possibility of conflict of interest will be negligible and it will be free from any kind of pressure. According to media reports, questions are being raised on the officials of the Trust as well as some other influential persons in this matter. During investigation, it has also come to light that many employees engaged in cash counting were hired on the recommendations of Trust officials or influential persons. When the matter revolves around influential persons or big officials associated with the trust, then it would be better to hand over the investigation to the central agency and eliminate the possibility of any pressure on the state police knowingly or unknowingly. By handing over the investigation to the central agency under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, it will be completely fearless, independent and impartial.
Security system failure and conspiracy
This case does not appear to be mere petty theft committed by a few ordinary employees, but points to a well-organized and long-running syndicate. Continual ignoring of CCTV and security audits reinforces this suspicion. Instead of 180 days, CCTV footage was preserved only for 45 days. The keys of the donation boxes were found in the possession of unauthorized persons without any written authorization letter. To thoroughly investigate the negligence and security lapses on such a large scale, high-level forensic financial audit is required, which can only be done efficiently by experts from central investigating agencies.
Apart from this, it is also very important to investigate the nexus between bank employees and temple management people in this matter. The names of many bank employees and retired officers are also coming to light in the case, who were supervising the offering calculation process. The Banking Security and Fraud Unit of the Central Bureau of Investigation is the most appropriate body to investigate the role of employees of nationalized banks and inter-bank financial irregularities.
Question of faith and global credibility
Shri Ram Temple is a symbol of India’s national and international credibility, restoration of transparency is the need of the hour. The news of theft of offerings has created deep sorrow and a feeling of distrust towards the temple management in the minds of Ram devotees sitting in the country and abroad. If the investigation is done by the highest impartial agencies of the country, then the faith will be re-established among the general public and the donors that every penny given by them in a sacred spirit will be used only in the service of God and religious work.
The theft of offerings in Shri Ram temple of Ayodhya is not only a criminal incident but also a deep injury to the faith of crores of Sanatanis. The SIT has certainly tried its best, but given the complex financial network, inter-state network, and management and institutional nexus of the case, its scope becomes much wider. By handing over the investigation of this entire episode to a central agency like CBI or ED by the Supreme Court, fair, quick and historic justice will be possible.
(These are the personal views of the author)
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