Supreme Court Seeks SIT Report on Ayodhya Ram Mandir Donation Misappropriation
The Supreme Court of India has called for a detailed report from the Uttar Pradesh Special Investigation Team (SIT) regarding the ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds intended for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. This directive was issued on Monday by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
The bench also issued a notice to the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, following a series of public interest litigation (PIL) petitions that advocate for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the financial irregularities related to the temple funds.
“Issue notice. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta accepts notice. Issue notice to the Teerth Kshetra trust. Let a status report be filed. We direct the SIT constituted by the State of UP to submit a status report before this court. The SIT shall also have member composition,” the Court directed.
Petitions Highlight Concerns Over SIT’s Capacity
Three main petitions were reviewed by the Court, including one submitted by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav. This petition names the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the State of Uttar Pradesh, and the Union of India as respondents. The petitioners argue that allegations of funds embezzlement necessitate a formal case filing and an independent, time-sensitive investigation.
The petitioners contend that while the Uttar Pradesh SIT is currently examining these allegations, it lacks the necessary forensic and investigative resources for handling complex financial matters. The petition also cites concerns over the SIT’s lack of a formally registered first information report (FIR), which may affect the legal standing of its findings.
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Drawing parallels to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam adulterated ghee case, the petition references the Supreme Court’s decision in Subramanian Swamy v. State of Andhra Pradesh in October 2024, where a state SIT was replaced by a multidisciplinary SIT led by the CBI.
RJD MP Requests CBI Oversight
An additional petition was submitted by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Member of Parliament Sudhakar Singh, who seeks to have the ongoing investigation transferred to the CBI under Supreme Court supervision. Singh’s plea suggests forming a temporary, court-monitored oversight committee comprising retired judicial officers and financial experts to manage the Trust’s financial and administrative operations during the investigation.
Moreover, Singh demands that all physical and electronic financial records, such as account books, bank logs, UPI records, CCTV footage, emails, and servers, be preserved to prevent evidence tampering. Singh further insists that the Trust should regularly publish audited financial statements and details regarding fund utilization on its official website while safeguarding donor privacy.
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During the hearing, counsel for one of the petitioners remarked, “After a battle of 123 years, another battle has started. An SIT is formed. The electronic evidence needs to be preserved.” In response, the CJI commented, “Please preserve your energy. It will be needed outside,” before issuing notices on the petitions.
The Supreme Court’s decision to hear these PILs reflects its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of the Ram Mandir funds.
