Ayodhya: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of offerings at the Ram temple has taken steps to further strengthen and streamline the security of valuable jewellery and precious metals belonging to Ram Lalla. The SIT, constituted following directions from the Supreme Court, is conducting a detailed examination of records and transactions linked to the matter. As part of the investigation, officials are matching records maintained by the bank and the Ram Temple Trust while also focusing on the use of digital technology to strengthen security and verification procedures.
A forensic auditor has also been included in the investigation team. In the auditor’s presence, records maintained by the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Ram Temple Trust are being examined and cross-checked. The objective is to identify any discrepancies between bank records, Trust documents and details of valuables kept inside the lockers. As part of this process, the bank lockers containing valuable jewellery and precious metals offered by devotees to Ram Lalla have been coded.
Valuable Items Stored in Separate Lockers
According to information available, precious metals, jewellery and other valuable items offered by devotees to Ram Lalla have been secured in separate bank lockers. The Ram Temple Trust pays the prescribed charges for using these lockers. An inventory of the items stored in each locker has been prepared and entered into the relevant records. Copies of these records are maintained by both the bank management and the Ram Temple Trust.
To make security and record verification more systematic, individual tags have now been placed on the lockers. The tags carry digital identification features, including QR codes. Scanning the relevant code will allow the inventory recorded for that particular locker to be accessed. This will enable officials to cross-check the recorded details without immediately opening the locker.
No Need to Open Lockers Repeatedly
The main objective of the new system is to reduce the need to repeatedly open lockers during physical verification. Earlier, matching the records required officials to open a locker, take out the valuables, identify and count the items, and then place them back securely. The process was time-consuming and required valuable items to be handled repeatedly.
Under the new system, digital tags will facilitate preliminary verification of records. During random checks, officials can scan the relevant tag or QR code to access the inventory associated with the locker. This is expected to make monitoring more systematic while strengthening the overall security process.
The SIT team remained in Ayodhya for around two days to complete this exercise. After the tagging and coding process was completed, the team returned. However, the broader investigation and verification of documents related to the case remain underway.
Photography and Videography Conducted Earlier
Earlier, Ram Temple Trust interim general secretary Krishna Mohan, along with Trust associates, had conducted a detailed examination of the bank records. The team remained at the bank for around a fortnight to verify records and match them with the valuable items kept inside the lockers. During the exercise, all valuables stored in the lockers were also photographed and videographed.
A separate record of each item was prepared, with one copy kept at the Trust office and another with the bank management. During the same period, the bank’s regional and zonal officials also conducted an internal departmental inquiry and prepared a separate report, which was submitted to the management.
In addition, the bank reportedly issued a circular terminating its contract with the security service provider. The SIT is now examining the bank records, Trust documents, valuables kept in the lockers and related security arrangements together. The new digital coding system is being treated as part of this broader effort to strengthen record verification and safeguard the valuable offerings.
