India, July 1 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has granted a 15-day extension until July 15 to the three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in the Ram Temple donation collections. Officials said investigators have additional time to expand the probe beyond the eight arrested accused and determine whether systemic failures, procedural violations and institutional negligence enabled the alleged embezzlement.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath approved the extension after the SIT sought more time to complete a comprehensive investigation before submitting its final report. "The government directed the team to submit its report by July 15," an official said.

Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, ...