SIT to File First Chargesheet in Ram Temple Donations Case by September 25

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya will file its first chargesheet by September 25, the Supreme Court was informed on Monday.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana that the statutory 90-day period from the first arrest in the case would expire on September 25.

“Ninety days from the date of the first arrest are going to be over on September 25, so we will have to file the chargesheet, otherwise, they will get default bail,” Mehta said.

The Supreme Court also perused a detailed status report submitted by the SIT in a sealed cover on the progress of the investigation.

Under Section 167(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), an accused can claim statutory or default bail if the investigating agency fails to file a chargesheet within the prescribed 60- or 90-day period, depending on the offence. Section 187 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has replaced the corresponding provision of the CrPC.

The apex court had earlier directed the SIT to complete the investigation expeditiously and take it to its logical conclusion.

On July 27, the court took note of the formation of a four-member SIT headed by IGP Kiran S to investigate the alleged embezzlement. It also directed the Uttar Pradesh government to include a forensic auditor in the probe.

The court had observed that remedial measures would have to be taken and stressed the need to ensure transparency in the management of temple donations.

The proceedings followed allegations of irregularities in the handling of donations at the Ram temple. On July 20, the court had asked the Uttar Pradesh government to consider setting up an SIT, while on July 13 it sought a status report from the state police.

The court also issued notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on petitions seeking a fair and time-bound investigation. Petitioners, including RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, had sought a CBI probe and forensic audit of the trust's finances.