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New Delhi, July 20: The Supreme Court suggested reconstituting the Special Investigation Team formed by the Uttar Pradesh Government to probe the alleged embezzlements of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, saying it would prefer if the investigation is conducted by senior Indian Police Service officer who has experience in handling such cases.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant said that the SIT constituted earlier was tasked with submitting a preliminary report. Therefore, it noted that a separate SIT should be formed for a full-fledged probe.
The court's observation came after Solicitor General, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, told the court that the SIT was constituted to "find out the truthfulness" and it found that "there is a cognisable offence".
To this, the apex court questioned that Lucknow Inspector General of Police and two senior Indian Administrative Service officers were part of the SIT, asking whether they could conduct the main investigation to ensure fairness and transparency.
The bench, which also consisted Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, also warned against politicising the matter, pointing out that the matter is a "simple case of commission of crime".
The court, which has not passed any final order or direction in the matter so far, will hear the case again on July 27.
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