As the SIT has intensified probe into the matter, Ayodhya Police have received court permission to interrogate five individuals currently imprisoned in connection with the Ram Mandir donation 'theft' case.
The accused, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Ram Shankar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, and Manish Yadav, will face questioning within the jail premises starting this Sunday, during which their statements will be formally recorded.Police sources have indicated that investigators may subsequently move to secure the custody of the accused individually for further interrogation, depending on the information gathered during these initial sessions.
The interrogation permission follows an application filed by Ayodhya Circle Officer (CO) Ashutosh Tiwari, who is leading the investigation before the judge of Special Court (Prevention of Corruption Act) Rajat Verma. Police had earlier questioned another accused Avinash Shukla in jail before securing his Police custody for further interrogation.
Police sources further said that investigation is progressing in a phased manner with investigators questioning each accused individually to establish sequence of events and determine their role in alleged theft.The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to piece together details surrounding the alleged misappropriation of funds.
Earlier, the Ayodhya Sant Mandal had extended its full support to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, urging the Trust not to accept his resignation amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged Ram Temple donation theft.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been granted a 15-day extension to complete its investigation. The extension has been given to enable the SIT to widen the scope of its probe and conduct a comprehensive inquiry into all aspects of the case.The investigation will be expanded further to ensure that every angle is thoroughly examined and that no guilty person is spared.
At a press conference on Friday, the saints said they have known Champat Rai for many years and have complete faith in his integrity and conduct. They described him as a dedicated and honest individual, asserting that allegations being circulated in sections of the media are baseless and without evidence.
The Sant Mandal noted that Champat Rai himself had requested an SIT probe into the matter, calling it a reflection of his commitment to transparency and justice. The saints also appreciated the Uttar Pradesh government's prompt decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations.
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