The Allahabad High Court, on Monday, rejected a petition that sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into alleged misappropriation of funds by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The Division Bench, comprising Justice Rajan Rai and Justice Manjive Shukla, chose not to entertain the plea filed by Mohit Ashok, citing ongoing petitions with similar requests already before the Supreme Court.
Representing the Uttar Pradesh government in court were Additional Advocate General Vinod Shahi and Chief Standing Counsel Shailendra Singh. Media outlets have reported that the Ayodhya Police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the alleged theft of donations intended for the Ram Temple. According to The Indian Express, approximately ₹80 lakh was recovered from seven of those arrested.
Currently, at least two similar petitions are awaiting adjudication by the Supreme Court. Advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav have filed one such petition, seeking the preservation of electronic evidence and records related to the case. This petition was mentioned last month before a vacation Bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Sheel Nagu. However, the Bench declined an urgent listing, advising the petitioners to submit a copy of the petition to the court registry, indicating that the matter would be considered at an appropriate time.
Another petition, filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Member of Parliament Sudhakar Singh, demands an independent investigation into the financial dealings of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. This plea also remains pending before the Supreme Court.
