Supreme Court to Hear Allegations of Misappropriation at Ayodhya Ram Temple

Supreme Court to Address Ram Temple Donation Misappropriation Case

The Supreme Court is set to hear a case concerning alleged misappropriation of donations at the renowned Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The apex court will review petitions on July 13, which call for a fair and timely investigation into the matter. According to the Supreme Court's official website, a bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohan will take up these petitions when court proceedings resume on Monday.

Three separate petitions have been filed regarding this issue. One petitioner, Narendra Kumar Goswami, has requested that the investigation be conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and that the financial transactions of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). The second petition, filed by Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, makes similar requests. The third petition, submitted by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh, calls for a CBI investigation under the Supreme Court's supervision, along with a forensic audit of the Trust's financial dealings.

Previously, a vacation bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna had asked one petitioner to request a later date for expedited hearing. The petition filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav states that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the CBI should be formed to investigate the operations, administration, and alleged financial irregularities of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

The petitioners argue that the SIT established by the Uttar Pradesh government began its investigation without filing a First Information Report (FIR) or a formal criminal case. They contend that an independent verification of the allegations should be conducted by a professional investigative agency equipped with the necessary expertise and resources to handle complex financial and criminal matters. The petition emphasizes that such an investigation would enhance public trust, as the case involves not only potential cognizable offenses but also the faith and emotions of millions of devotees.

Legal actions have already taken place in this matter. On July 7, a court in Ayodhya granted police remand for three of the eight accused arrested in connection with the alleged theft of donations at the temple (Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, and Karunesh Pandey). Earlier, on June 29, a local court had sent all eight accused to 14 days of judicial custody. Notably, on June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) at the request of the temple Trust, which includes Lucknow's Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S, and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan.