The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations of embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Tuesday submitted its preliminary inquiry report to the Uttar Pradesh government, officials said.
According to officials, Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant submitted the preliminary report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad.
They further stated that the investigation is still ongoing and that the SIT is continuing to collect additional evidence and details.
The Uttar Pradesh government had constituted the SIT on June 13 after a request from the temple trust, following allegations of misappropriation of donations received at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
Following the submission of the preliminary report, Pant told PTI Videos that the SIT was trying to submit its final report within the next 10 to 15 days.
"Based on the information that has come to light so far and the facts available with us, we have submitted the first report today. This is only the preliminary report and the final report will be submitted after some time," Pant said.
He said the report was confidential and he was not authorised to share details of the findings with the media at this stage.
Asked whether the team would return to Ayodhya for further investigation since the report submitted was only preliminary, Pant told PTI, "Of course, we will do that as per requirement."
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav had on June 7 cited reports claiming that crores of rupees from donations offered at the Ram Temple were missing and urged the courts to take cognisance of the matter.
Yadav had demanded daily briefings on the SIT investigation, alleging that public trust in the agency had been eroded due to what he described as "widespread corruption under the BJP government."
