Supreme Court Orders Investigation into Alleged Ram Temple Donation Misappropriation

Supreme Court Takes Action on Ram Temple Donation Case

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has instructed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate the alleged misappropriation of donations intended for the Ram temple in Ayodhya to provide a status update.

The bench, which included Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohna, also issued a notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in response to petitions requesting a thorough and timely investigation into the alleged 'theft' of donations.

One of the petitioners, Narendra Kumar Goswami, has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the situation and has requested a financial audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of the Trust's finances.

Two additional petitioners, Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, have filed similar requests for investigation.

Moreover, RJD MP Sudhakar Singh's petition seeks a forensic audit of the Trust's financial records, alongside a CBI investigation overseen by the Supreme Court.

Previously, a bench led by Justice B V Nagarathna had instructed one of the petitioners to bring the case forward for urgent consideration at a later date.

The petitioners, who are practicing lawyers, have urged for a CBI-led multi-disciplinary SIT to probe the alleged financial misconduct and other illegal activities related to the temple trust's management.

Rai's petition also calls for the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Trust to establish necessary regulatory and audit mechanisms to protect public interest and maintain the trust of millions of devotees and donors.

Regardless of the outcome regarding the alleged missing funds and irregularities, the reports have raised significant concerns among those who have long fought for the restoration of Ayodhya's heritage, according to the plea.

The petition further notes that the SIT initiated its investigation without filing a First Information Report (FIR) or establishing a formal criminal case.

The issues at hand not only involve potential criminal offenses but also impact the faith and trust of numerous devotees and the general public.

On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government formed the SIT at the request of the temple trust following allegations of donation misappropriation.

The SIT is composed of Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S, and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan.