Supreme Court Stresses Neutrality in Ram Mandir Fund Investigation
In a significant ruling on Monday, the Supreme Court of India underscored the need to keep politics separate from the ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds intended for the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, is currently reviewing a series of public interest litigation (PIL) petitions. These petitions call for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the financial discrepancies related to the temple’s construction.
During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant remarked, “Just a word of caution … Don’t politicise the issue. Courts are not a place for politics. It’s a simple case of commission of crime. We are just to ensure proper investigation.” This statement reflects the court’s stance to maintain the legal proceedings free from external political influences.
Current Investigation and Future Directions
The court was updated on the progress of the investigation, with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, stating, “Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to find out the truthfulness. Now it is being probed by the police. SIT just found that there is a cognizable offence.” The bench has adjourned the case pending a response from the state on whether an SIT could further lead the investigation. “We will take up the matter after 3-4 days and we will look at the aspect of investigation,” added CJI Kant, highlighting the court’s commitment to a thorough review.
Petitioners Seek Transparency and Accountability
Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, representing one of the petitioners, conveyed their demand for accountability, saying, “Our PIL is stating that when the temple was built, they sought donation from everyone. Now we are seeking that those receipts are preserved and uploaded.” The court acknowledged this request and assured it would be examined.
Further, other legal representatives urged the court to mandate the preservation of digital records and the publication of the First Information Report (FIR) to promote transparency. SG Mehta assured the court that all records have been preserved.
More Read
Calls for Independent Investigation
The petitions, including those filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, argue for a comprehensive and independent investigation into the alleged embezzlement and misappropriation of public donations. They have expressed concerns over the current SIT’s capabilities, citing the absence of necessary forensic and investigative infrastructure.
Drawing parallels with a similar case, petitioners referenced the Supreme Court’s decision in Subramanian Swamy v. State of Andhra Pradesh, where the court replaced a state SIT with an independent multidisciplinary team. This precedent underscores their plea for a more robust investigation framework.
Additional petitions, such as the one filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Member of Parliament Sudhakar Singh, call for the CBI to oversee the investigation and propose a temporary oversight committee to ensure transparency in the financial and administrative dealings of the Ram Mandir Trust.
More Read
The court will reconvene on July 27 to further deliberate on the case, potentially issuing new directives to ensure an untainted and comprehensive investigation into the matter.
