June 25, 2026

Amritsar: Air India flight AI 479, flying from Delhi to Amritsar, reportedly strayed into Pakistani airspace on Tuesday night before returning safely after receiving a warning from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC). The Airbus A321 departed Delhi at approximately 9:18 pm and instead of landing at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport, drifted toward the international border into Pakistani airspace. Upon detection, Lahore ATC alerted the pilot, after which the aircraft executed a U-turn.Instead of landing at Amritsar, the flight was diverted back to Delhi due to heavy air traffic. It later departed again from Delhi and landed in Amritsar at around 2:10 am on June 24. There was no official statement from the Amritsar airport director. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, downplayed the incident. Instead of clarifying whether the aircraft actually entered Pakistani airspace, he simply said that it flew “within a mile or so” of the international border, leaving its exact position unconfirmed.But at the same time, the official added that the flight’s movements were coordinated with Lahore ATC and that the diversion to Delhi was a result of congestion at Amritsar. The aircraft was refueled in Delhi before continuing to Amritsar. The official also said that such occurrences are not uncommon and that Pakistani passenger aircraft have, at times, flown inside the Indian airspace or near the international border and are similarly coordinated and redirected. Sources indicated that an investigation has been initiated to determine the precise cause of the route deviation.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesFrom Priyanka Chopra’s Rolex era to Katrina Kaif’s Rado reign: Bollywood’s most iconic watch ambassadorsTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goals123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
Amritsar: Air India flight AI 479, flying from Delhi to Amritsar, reportedly strayed into Pakistani airspace on Tuesday night before returning safely after receiving a warning from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC). The Airbus A321 departed Delhi at approximately 9:18 pm and instead of landing at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport, drifted toward the international border into Pakistani airspace. Upon detection, Lahore ATC alerted the pilot, after which the aircraft executed a U-turn.Instead of landing at Amritsar, the flight was diverted back to Delhi due to heavy air traffic. It later departed again from Delhi and landed in Amritsar at around 2:10 am on June 24. There was no official statement from the Amritsar airport director. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, downplayed the incident. Instead of clarifying whether the aircraft actually entered Pakistani airspace, he simply said that it flew “within a mile or so” of the international border, leaving its exact position unconfirmed.But at the same time, the official added that the flight’s movements were coordinated with Lahore ATC and that the diversion to Delhi was a result of congestion at Amritsar. The aircraft was refueled in Delhi before continuing to Amritsar. The official also said that such occurrences are not uncommon and that Pakistani passenger aircraft have, at times, flown inside the Indian airspace or near the international border and are similarly coordinated and redirected. Sources indicated that an investigation has been initiated to determine the precise cause of the route deviation.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesFrom Priyanka Chopra’s Rolex era to Katrina Kaif’s Rado reign: Bollywood’s most iconic watch ambassadorsTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goals123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain


Delhi-Amritsar AI flight strays into Pakistan airspace, returns safely

Amritsar: Air India flight AI 479, flying from Delhi to Amritsar, reportedly strayed into Pakistani airspace on Tuesday night before returning safely after receiving a warning from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC). The Airbus A321 departed Delhi at approximately 9:18 pm and instead of landing at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport, drifted toward the international border into Pakistani airspace. Upon detection, Lahore ATC alerted the pilot, after which the aircraft executed a U-turn.Instead of landing at Amritsar, the flight was diverted back to Delhi due to heavy air traffic. It later departed again from Delhi and landed in Amritsar at around 2:10 am on June 24. There was no official statement from the Amritsar airport director. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, downplayed the incident. Instead of clarifying whether the aircraft actually entered Pakistani airspace, he simply said that it flew “within a mile or so” of the international border, leaving its exact position unconfirmed.But at the same time, the official added that the flight’s movements were coordinated with Lahore ATC and that the diversion to Delhi was a result of congestion at Amritsar. The aircraft was refueled in Delhi before continuing to Amritsar. The official also said that such occurrences are not uncommon and that Pakistani passenger aircraft have, at times, flown inside the Indian airspace or near the international border and are similarly coordinated and redirected. Sources indicated that an investigation has been initiated to determine the precise cause of the route deviation.



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Amit Shah calls on president amid buzz of reshuffle of union council of ministers NeEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday called on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here amid the buzz over a reshuffle of the union council of ministers.The president’s office shared a picture of the meeting in a post on X. Watch Amit Shah Confirms Detention Centres In Bengal, Vows Crackdown On Illegal Infiltrators | Watch”Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan,” the post said.On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called on President Murmu.The meetings assume significance given the speculation that a reshuffle of the union council of ministers is imminent.Veteran BJP leader from Kerala George Kurian recently resigned from the council of ministers after his Rajya Sabha termed expired. The 65-year-old was Union minister of state for minority affairs and also for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying.The BJP decided not to renominate Kurian, whose term in the Upper House ended on June 21.Besides, Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh, whose Rajya Sabha term also ended on June 21, has not been renominated by the BJP to the Upper House either.Singh, who had been a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan since August 2024, also holds charge as the minister of state for food processing industries.A few Union ministers have been given key organisational responsibilities in their home states. Their appointment fuelled the buzz of a possible reshuffle.BJP national president Nitin Nabin on May 28 appointed Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra as Delhi BJP chief. In December last year, Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary was the new president of the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh unit.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Seeks Relief In Defamation Case, Says Statement Was Not About Kartikey SinghMumbai Local Train Murder: GRP Arrests Accused After Passenger Stabbed To Death During Door DisputeNEET Centre Claims Candidate Arrived 14 Minutes Late, Submits CCTV Footage to Back DecisionEmergency Added to NCERT Class 9 Curriculum, Described as a Major Democratic ChallengeKerala Government Faces Massive Backlash Over Proposed Tax Cut On Low-Alcohol Beverages30 India-Bound Vessels Cross Strait Of Hormuz As 26 More Await Safe PassageAir India Flight AI479 Briefly Crosses Into Pakistan Airspace, DGCA Orders InvestigationTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire Probe123PhotostoriesVisiting Nepal? Don’t forget to try these local traditional dishesCan’t afford the Maldives, Switzerland or Bali? Try these 6 budget-friendly alternatives5 lessons to learn from Zendaya and Tom Holland’s relationship: From friendship to foreverSkipping rest days? Expert warns it could be sabotaging your fitness progressRelationship lessons from Emily Blunt and John Krasinski: Communication, trust and unwavering support3 things to mix into your regular hair oil if you want healthier hair growth, according to ScienceWilliam Shakespeare’s love quote of the day: ‘Love sought is good, but given unsought is better’Doctors can replace organs and fight cancer, so why does the brain still remain so difficult to treat with drugs?Parents who constantly solve problems for their children often create this hidden weaknessType 2 diabetes: Do all fats raise the risk? A new study finally sorts it out123Hot PicksVenezuela earthquakesKetan Agrawal MurderH1-B rowAashna DoshiVinod DoddamaniBihar school timingsTS SSC Supplementary ResultRVUNL RecruitmentMamata BanerjeeTop TrendingSundar PichaiVenezuela NewsRithuparna KSFIFA World Cup 2026Venezuela earthquake NewsMumba Local Train MurderLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalRoshan Suvarna

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Government backs MEA’s ‘Passport never been proof of citizenship’ statement. Credit: ANI The central government on Thursday issued a clarification asserting that an Indian passport has “never been treated as conclusive proof of citizenship”, stressing that the position is neither new nor recently adopted.This comes a day after the ministry of external affairs (MEA), during a media briefing, stated that a passport is primarily a “travel document” and should not be viewed as definitive proof of citizenship. The remarks drew criticism from sections of the Opposition.Defending the position, the government cited Section 20 of the Passports Act, 1967, which empowers the Centre to issue passports or travel documents to non-citizens in certain circumstances.The provision states, “Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions relating to issue of a passport or travel document, the Central Government may issue, or cause to be issued, a passport or travel document to a person who is not a citizen of India if that Government is of the opinion that it is necessary so to do in the public interest.”According to the government, the legal position has also been upheld by courts, including the Bombay high court, which ruled in 2013 that possession of a passport alone does not establish Indian citizenship, news agency ANI reported.The issue gained political traction after Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal questioned the implications of the MEA’s remarks.In a post on X, Sibal wrote: “MEA June 24, 2026 : “A passport is a travel document, and not a document of citizenship.” Which document then is proof of citizenship? BLO can doubt my citizenship Deprive me of my vote Result BJP wins the election Over to Supreme Court !”Lyricist Javed Akhtar also called MEA’s statement “absurd” and questioned whether the ministry is issuing passports to non-Indian citizens as well.The BJP, however, accused critics of misrepresenting a long-settled legal position. Additionally, the comment started a debate online with questions over citizenship documentation.Responding on X, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said: “For the “kagaz nahin dikhayenge” brigade outraging over the Ministry of External Affairs’ statement that a passport is not proof of citizenship, here is a reality check. The MEA has not announced a new policy. 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Government backs MEA’s ‘Passport never been proof of citizenship’ statement. Credit: ANI The central government on Thursday issued a clarification asserting that an Indian passport has “never been treated as conclusive proof of citizenship”, stressing that the position is neither new nor recently adopted.This comes a day after the ministry of external affairs (MEA), during a media briefing, stated that a passport is primarily a “travel document” and should not be viewed as definitive proof of citizenship. The remarks drew criticism from sections of the Opposition.Defending the position, the government cited Section 20 of the Passports Act, 1967, which empowers the Centre to issue passports or travel documents to non-citizens in certain circumstances.The provision states, “Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions relating to issue of a passport or travel document, the Central Government may issue, or cause to be issued, a passport or travel document to a person who is not a citizen of India if that Government is of the opinion that it is necessary so to do in the public interest.”According to the government, the legal position has also been upheld by courts, including the Bombay high court, which ruled in 2013 that possession of a passport alone does not establish Indian citizenship, news agency ANI reported.The issue gained political traction after Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal questioned the implications of the MEA’s remarks.In a post on X, Sibal wrote: “MEA June 24, 2026 : “A passport is a travel document, and not a document of citizenship.” Which document then is proof of citizenship? BLO can doubt my citizenship Deprive me of my vote Result BJP wins the election Over to Supreme Court !”Lyricist Javed Akhtar also called MEA’s statement “absurd” and questioned whether the ministry is issuing passports to non-Indian citizens as well.The BJP, however, accused critics of misrepresenting a long-settled legal position. Additionally, the comment started a debate online with questions over citizenship documentation.Responding on X, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said: “For the “kagaz nahin dikhayenge” brigade outraging over the Ministry of External Affairs’ statement that a passport is not proof of citizenship, here is a reality check. The MEA has not announced a new policy. It has merely reiterated a settled legal position.”Malviya further cited court rulings and provisions under the Citizenship Act, arguing that citizenship is determined through eligibility and documentary evidence rather than any single document.”The Bombay High Court made this clear in 2013 and reaffirmed the principle subsequently: citizenship is determined under the Citizenship Act, 1955, based on eligibility and supporting evidence, not by the mere possession of a single document,” he wrote.He added that citizenship in India is established through a range of records, including birth certificates, electoral rolls, school records, government service records, residence documents and passports, among others.Also Read: Passport not proof of citizenship, says MEA: What documents establish Indian citizenship? 10 FAQs answeredReferring to the Passports Act, Malviya said: “Under the Passports Act, 1967, the Central Government has the power in specified circumstances to issue a passport or travel document even to a non-citizen. The law itself therefore recognises that possession of a passport cannot, by definition, be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship.”Calling the controversy misplaced, the BJP leader added, “A passport is an important identity and travel document. It is evidence that may support a claim of citizenship. But citizenship itself flows from the Constitution and the Citizenship Act, not from the possession of any single government-issued document.”The clarification coincided with the observance of the 14th Passport Seva Divas, which marks the enactment of the Passports Act on June 24, 1967. The Ministry of External Affairs also recently held its Annual Regional Passport Officers’ Conference in New Delhi as part of the commemorative events.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNEET Centre Claims Candidate Arrived 14 Minutes Late, Submits CCTV Footage to Back DecisionEmergency Added to NCERT Class 9 Curriculum, Described as a Major Democratic ChallengeKerala Government Faces Massive Backlash Over Proposed Tax Cut On Low-Alcohol Beverages30 India-Bound Vessels Cross Strait Of Hormuz As 26 More Await Safe PassageAir India Flight AI479 Briefly Crosses Into Pakistan Airspace, DGCA Orders InvestigationTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops Underway123PhotostoriesSkipping rest days? 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Supreme Court, Ram Mandir (File photo) NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain an oral request for the urgent listing of a petition seeking a court-monitored investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.The court asked the petitioner’s counsel to mention the matter on June 29 for listing.The plea seeks a court-monitored investigation into the alleged financial irregularities in the Trust, including the registration of an FIR and the constitution of a Special Investigation Team under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It also seeks directions to preserve all physical, digital and financial records, including donation registers, audit reports, CCTV footage and bank records.The development comes days after a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government, submitted its preliminary report on alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple.The SIT handed over its report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad after completing a week-long inquiry into the handling of temple donations and financial management systems. According to officials, the report recommends administrative reforms, including the appointment of a chief executive officer on the lines of the management model followed at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to improve transparency, accountability and administrative efficiency.The Uttar Pradesh government had constituted the SIT on June 13 after the temple trust itself sought a probe into allegations of theft and misappropriation of devotees’ offerings. The three-member panel is headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant and includes Inspector General Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan.During the investigation, the SIT examined donation collection and counting procedures, scrutinised financial records and recorded statements of nearly 150 people associated with the temple administration. Officials said the preliminary report contains recommendations aimed at strengthening oversight mechanisms and improving the management of donations. The contents of the report have not been made public.The controversy has also sparked political reactions. Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel accused the BJP and its affiliates of “looting in the name of Ram”, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged attempts to “cover up” the matter. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh also expressed concern over the alleged financial irregularities.The allegations surfaced after claims of missing donation funds and financial mismanagement at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The SIT is also examining allegations related to cash theft, missing ornaments donated by devotees, administrative practices and disputed land transactions. The state government is expected to examine the preliminary findings before deciding on further action.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNEET Centre Claims Candidate Arrived 14 Minutes Late, Submits CCTV Footage to Back DecisionEmergency Added to NCERT Class 9 Curriculum, Described as a Major Democratic ChallengeKerala Government Faces Massive Backlash Over Proposed Tax Cut On Low-Alcohol Beverages30 India-Bound Vessels Cross Strait Of Hormuz As 26 More Await Safe PassageAir India Flight AI479 Briefly Crosses Into Pakistan Airspace, DGCA Orders InvestigationTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops Underway123PhotostoriesDoctors can replace organs and fight cancer, so why does the brain still remain so difficult to treat with drugs?Parents who constantly solve problems for their children often create this hidden weaknessType 2 diabetes: Do all fats raise the risk? 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Supreme Court, Ram Mandir (File photo) NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain an oral request for the urgent listing of a petition seeking a court-monitored investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.The court asked the petitioner’s counsel to mention the matter on June 29 for listing.The plea seeks a court-monitored investigation into the alleged financial irregularities in the Trust, including the registration of an FIR and the constitution of a Special Investigation Team under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It also seeks directions to preserve all physical, digital and financial records, including donation registers, audit reports, CCTV footage and bank records.The development comes days after a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government, submitted its preliminary report on alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple.The SIT handed over its report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad after completing a week-long inquiry into the handling of temple donations and financial management systems. According to officials, the report recommends administrative reforms, including the appointment of a chief executive officer on the lines of the management model followed at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to improve transparency, accountability and administrative efficiency.The Uttar Pradesh government had constituted the SIT on June 13 after the temple trust itself sought a probe into allegations of theft and misappropriation of devotees’ offerings. The three-member panel is headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant and includes Inspector General Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan.During the investigation, the SIT examined donation collection and counting procedures, scrutinised financial records and recorded statements of nearly 150 people associated with the temple administration. Officials said the preliminary report contains recommendations aimed at strengthening oversight mechanisms and improving the management of donations. The contents of the report have not been made public.The controversy has also sparked political reactions. Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel accused the BJP and its affiliates of “looting in the name of Ram”, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged attempts to “cover up” the matter. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh also expressed concern over the alleged financial irregularities.The allegations surfaced after claims of missing donation funds and financial mismanagement at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The SIT is also examining allegations related to cash theft, missing ornaments donated by devotees, administrative practices and disputed land transactions. The state government is expected to examine the preliminary findings before deciding on further action.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNEET Centre Claims Candidate Arrived 14 Minutes Late, Submits CCTV Footage to Back DecisionEmergency Added to NCERT Class 9 Curriculum, Described as a Major Democratic ChallengeKerala Government Faces Massive Backlash Over Proposed Tax Cut On Low-Alcohol Beverages30 India-Bound Vessels Cross Strait Of Hormuz As 26 More Await Safe PassageAir India Flight AI479 Briefly Crosses Into Pakistan Airspace, DGCA Orders InvestigationTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops Underway123PhotostoriesDoctors can replace organs and fight cancer, so why does the brain still remain so difficult to treat with drugs?Parents who constantly solve problems for their children often create this hidden weaknessType 2 diabetes: Do all fats raise the risk? A new study finally sorts it outIs the world’s coldest town tourist-friendly? Here’s what travellers should knowInland Taipan vs Eastern Brown snake: Which is more commonly seen in the wild and how can you identify them?From letting go Padam Shri to refusing MasterChef India: 3 times Chef Sanjeev Kapoor proved his passion and respect for his professionWhy Danish parents leave babies outside cafés to sleep, even in the snow, and why they believe it’s safeWhat would you do? 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