New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear on July 13 a batch of petitions seeking a fair, independent and time-bound investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The petitions seek a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, a Supreme Court-monitored investigation and a comprehensive financial audit of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the temple.
The hearing comes as the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of temple donations continues, with eight persons already arrested in connection with the case.
Supreme Court to hear three petitions
According to the Supreme Court’s cause list, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohan will take up the matter when the court resumes proceedings on Monday, July 13.
The petitions seek judicial intervention to ensure an independent and transparent investigation into the allegations surrounding the handling of donations received by the Ram Temple Trust.
The petitioners have also sought financial scrutiny of the Trust’s accounts through independent audits and forensic examination.
CBI probe and financial audit sought
One of the petitions, filed by Narendra Kumar Goswami, seeks a CBI investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations and requests an audit of the Trust’s finances by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
Another petition, filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, seeks the constitution of a multidisciplinary Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the CBI to examine the alleged financial irregularities and other purported illegalities involving the Trust.
A third petition, filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh, seeks a Supreme Court-monitored CBI investigation along with a forensic audit of the Trust’s complete financial records.
Petitioners question existing SIT inquiry
The petitioners have raised concerns regarding the Uttar Pradesh government’s ongoing SIT investigation.
According to the plea filed by Rai and Yadav, the state government constituted the SIT without first registering a First Information Report (FIR) or a regular criminal case.
The petition argues that allegations involving complex financial transactions should be examined by an independent agency possessing specialised expertise in financial and criminal investigations.
The petitioners contend that an investigation conducted by the CBI would inspire greater public confidence than an inquiry carried out by an administrative SIT.
They have also requested directions to the Central Government, the Uttar Pradesh Government and the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to establish stronger regulatory, supervisory and audit mechanisms to safeguard public funds and maintain the confidence of devotees and donors.
Ongoing criminal investigation
The hearing comes amid an ongoing police investigation into the alleged theft of donations collected at the Ram Temple.
On July 7, an Ayodhya court granted one-day police custody of three accused—Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra and Karunesh Pandey—to facilitate further interrogation and investigation.
Earlier, on June 29, all eight accused in the case were remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
Investigators are continuing to examine the alleged financial irregularities and the circumstances surrounding the reported misappropriation of temple donations.
Uttar Pradesh government formed SIT
Following allegations of misappropriation of donations, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team on June 13 after receiving a request from the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The SIT comprises:
- Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant
- Inspector General of Police Kiran S
- Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan
The committee has been tasked with investigating the allegations and submitting its findings.
Court to decide next course
The Supreme Court is expected to consider whether the existing state-level investigation is adequate or whether an independent investigation by the CBI or another agency is warranted.
The outcome of the hearing could determine whether additional financial audits, forensic examinations or judicial oversight are ordered in relation to the Trust’s handling of donations.
Given the significance of the Ram Temple and the large volume of public donations it receives, the proceedings are likely to be closely watched by devotees, legal observers and public authorities alike.