Journalist who reported on Ram Mandir donations row moves SC against Ghaziabad FIR

New Delhi [India], August 24 (ANI): Journalist Abhishek Upadhyay, who reported on the alleged irregularities in donations received for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, has moved the Supreme Court challenging an FIR registered against him by Ghaziabad Police over an alleged road-rage incident.
The plea was mentioned before a bench of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana on Monday. The Court has agreed to list it tomorrow, subject to the petitioner curing defects in the plea.
Upadhyay has alleged that the FIR was based on concocted allegations and was intended to harass him for his independent journalistic work. He has also claimed that the FIR copy was not supplied to him and that police were pressuring nearby shopkeepers to delete CCTV footage from the relevant period.
He has sought quashing of the FIR. Alternatively, he has sought that the investigation be handed over to an agency other than the Uttar Pradesh Police.
The Supreme Court has been examining a batch of pleas seeking an independent probe into alleged financial irregularities surrounding donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The pleas have sought a CBI investigation into alleged misappropriation, missing funds and other irregularities in the affairs of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The Court has already directed the constitution of a committee to examine the allegations and assist in ensuring an independent and transparent probe into the donations issue. The committee is also expected to examine the financial records and other material relevant to the allegations.
The pleas before the Supreme Court have sought registration of an FIR and a CBI-led probe, besides preservation of donation records, bank statements, audit documents, CCTV footage and other relevant material.
Another plea has sought a court-monitored investigation by an independent agency such as the CBI, along with judicial oversight over the collection, accounting, custody and utilisation of donations received from devotees.
The petitions have questioned the manner in which the Trust's finances and donations were allegedly handled and have sought an investigation independent of the State Police to ensure transparency and accountability. (ANI)