Overview
- The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust announced on Wednesday that devotees will no longer need a separate special pass to visit the first-floor Ram Darbar and can proceed there after general Ram Lalla darshan through the regular queue.
- Religious leaders welcomed the move as a step to end VIP-style preferential treatment and said it will make darshan more equal for ordinary devotees while special arrangements for persons with disabilities will remain in place.
- The donation-theft investigation remains active after an SIT was set up in June, an FIR was registered on June 25, and eight people have been arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement.
- The Uttar Pradesh government told the Supreme Court that IPS officer Kiran S will head the SIT and the Chief Justice directed that a chartered accountant be appointed to assist the probe with a status report due within two weeks.
- The policy change may ease public relations pressure on the Trust but will require revised crowd management and transparent financial controls as the inquiry and calls for audits of temple banking and chest-room procedures continue.