The Supreme Court of India has called for a status report from the newly restructured Special Investigation Team (SIT) concerning the alleged misappropriation of funds intended for the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. This directive was issued on Monday by a bench comprised of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana during a hearing on petitions advocating for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the suspected theft.
State’s Response and SIT Reformation
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Uttar Pradesh, informed the court that the state has reorganized the SIT. The new team is headed by Inspector General of Police Kiran S and includes senior officers such as a Deputy Inspector General, an Inspector General, and a Superintendent of Police. This reformation is intended to enhance the investigation’s effectiveness.
Petitioners’ Concerns and Demands
Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, representing one of the petitioners, highlighted that devotees nationwide contributed between ₹100 and ₹500 in a structured donation drive. However, allegations have surfaced that the collected funds were not entirely transferred to the trust managing the Ram Mandir’s construction. Kamat requested that receipts from the trust be made available online to promote transparency.
Judicial Observations
Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized the court’s current priority is a thorough and swift investigation, with transparency measures to follow once the SIT’s findings are reviewed. “Let the SIT give its report. All remedial steps to ensure transparency will be taken. We are focused on having a fair, speedy, and impartial investigation,” he stated.
Court’s Directives and Future Steps
The court’s order noted the establishment of the SIT by the Uttar Pradesh government, as confirmed by SG Mehta, who also mentioned the inclusion of a forensic auditor in the investigation. The court expects a status report from the SIT by the next hearing and is prepared to provide further directions if the SIT encounters challenges.
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Petitioners’ Additional Requests
Among the petitioners are advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, who argued that the previous SIT lacked the necessary forensic and investigative resources for such a complex financial inquiry. They noted the inquiry began without a registered First Information Report (FIR), which could compromise the findings’ legal standing. The petitioners have also asked the court to instruct the Ram Mandir Trust and the state to preserve all physical, electronic, and financial records, such as donation registers, bank records, and CCTV footage.
RJD MP’s Petition for CBI Oversight
Another petition, filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh, seeks to transfer the investigation to the CBI under the Supreme Court’s supervision. Singh proposed the formation of a temporary court-monitored oversight committee, comprising retired judicial officers and financial experts, to manage the Trust’s financial and administrative tasks during the investigation.
Background and Previous Court Sessions
In previous hearings, SG Mehta indicated that the former SIT had addressed limited aspects of the case, including verifying the authenticity of complaints, which revealed a cognizable offense. The court had suggested that the state consider allowing its SIT to investigate the main case and cautioned against politicizing the issue. This led to the UP government’s decision to reconstitute the SIT.
