Supreme Court Declines Immediate Hearing on Ayodhya Temple Donation Mismanagement Case

The Supreme Court of India has decided against an urgent hearing regarding a petition that seeks a comprehensive investigation into alleged financial misconduct related to donations for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The court's bench questioned the urgency of the matter, while the petitioners argue for a CBI-led SIT to ensure a thorough inquiry. Concerns over missing funds and irregularities have raised alarms among devotees, prompting calls for regulatory measures to safeguard public trust. The SIT, formed by the Uttar Pradesh government, has begun its inquiry without a formal FIR, leading to calls for a more credible investigation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 29, 2026, 12:28 IST

Supreme Court's Decision on Ayodhya Temple Case

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of India opted not to expedite a hearing regarding a petition that demands a thorough and timely investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving donations to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Justices MM Sundresh and Sheel Nagu remarked that the urgency of the matter did not warrant immediate attention, stating, "Heavens are not going to fall. What is the urgency?"

The petition, submitted by lawyers Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, calls for the establishment of a multi-disciplinary special investigation team (SIT) led by the CBI to probe the alleged financial discrepancies and other unlawful activities related to the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

Additionally, the petition requests the formulation of regulatory and auditing frameworks by the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the temple trust to ensure public interest is protected and to maintain the trust of millions of devotees and contributors.

The plea highlights that regardless of the outcome regarding the alleged missing funds and irregularities, the concerns raised have deeply unsettled those who have long fought for the restoration of Ayodhya's significance.

It was noted that the SIT formed by the Uttar Pradesh government has begun its investigation without filing an FIR or initiating a formal criminal case. The petition argues that the credibility of the allegations regarding missing funds should be verified through a professional investigation by a unified agency with the necessary expertise and resources.

The petition emphasizes that such an inquiry would foster greater public trust compared to a preliminary investigation conducted by an SIT composed of administrative officials lacking specialized training in criminal investigations.

The issues at hand not only pertain to potential criminal offenses but also significantly impact the faith and sentiments of numerous devotees and the general public.

On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government established the SIT at the request of the temple trust in light of allegations concerning the misappropriation of donations received at the Ram temple. The SIT includes Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, IGP Kiran S, and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan.