New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to monitor the probe into alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying it will ensure a fair, comprehensive and credible inquiry.
The RSS affiliate also appealed to people not to spread rumours or make statements that could create confusion.
The remarks came after the Supreme Court on Monday took note of the setting up of a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Inspector General of Police Kiran S to probe the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and asked the Uttar Pradesh government to also include a forensic auditor in the probe team.
Observing that remedial actions will have to be taken, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said steps will be taken to ensure transparency.
The bench also directed the SIT to submit a status report in two weeks.
In a video statement, VHP international president Alok Kumar said the organisation is “very happy” that the Supreme Court has agreed to oversee the progress of the inquiry.
Kumar said the apex court has directed the SIT to file its status report before the next date of hearing and will hear the matter again after two weeks.
“We are also happy that, in the light of what happened in the last hearing, the UP government has reconstituted the SIT. It would now be headed by a retired inspector general of police, and includes three very senior police officers of credibility…
“Thus, it has been ensured that there would be a fair, comprehensive, complete and credible inquiry into the whole affair of the Ayodhya temple,” he said.
Kumar said that as a credible inquiry under the watchful eye of the Supreme Court is underway, people other than the SIT should avoid making statements about the matter.
“I would request all others, other than the SIT, not to make their own statements about the state of affairs, not to try to spread rumours, not to try to spread confusion,” Kumar said.
He also welcomed the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to accept the suggestion made during the hearing.
“A suggestion came up during the hearing. A forensic audit expert and an accounts expert may be included in the SIT. The government of UP has readily accepted the suggestion,” he said. PTI ADI KSS KSS
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