NewsAudit – Supreme Court Defers Early Hearing on Plea Over Ayodhya Temple Donation Inquiry
NewsAudit – The Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up an urgent hearing on a public interest litigation seeking a court-supervised investigation and forensic audit into the management of donations and offerings received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The petition raises concerns over alleged financial irregularities connected with the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and requests greater transparency in the handling of public contributions.
Court Questions Need for Immediate Listing
The matter was mentioned before a Bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu. During the brief hearing, the petitioner argued that the allegations contained in the plea were serious enough to justify an immediate listing. It was also submitted that there were concerns regarding the manner in which the state authorities were addressing the issue.
The Bench, however, questioned the urgency of the request. Justice Sundresh asked what warranted immediate intervention and directed that the case be listed after the Supreme Court resumes work following the summer vacation.
Petition Seeks Protection of Donation Records
The writ petition has been filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami in his personal capacity. It seeks directions to preserve all documents, digital records, CCTV footage, and other material related to donations and offerings made at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
According to the petition, offerings made by devotees become part of a sacred trust associated with the deity, which is recognised in law as a juristic person. The plea argues that individuals responsible for managing these offerings have a legal duty to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper preservation of all related records.
Request for Uniform Transparency Measures
Apart from seeking preservation of evidence, the petitioner has urged the Supreme Court to frame minimum constitutional safeguards for the administration of donations at temples of national importance. The plea argues that such measures would help strengthen public confidence and promote greater accountability in the management of religious institutions receiving substantial public contributions.
The petition makes it clear that it is limited to the secular administration of donations and financial records. It specifically states that it does not seek any judicial intervention in religious practices, rituals, customs, or matters of faith.
Allegations Linked to Recent Developments
The petition states that the present cause of action arose during June 2026 after reports of alleged irregularities surfaced and the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT). According to the plea, the developments pointed to allegations involving the handling and management of donations and offerings at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, prompting the request for judicial oversight.
Criminal Investigation Continues
Meanwhile, the criminal investigation related to the alleged misappropriation of temple donations is continuing. Police conducted searches at the residences of all eight accused persons and recovered jewellery along with several documents from the house of one of the accused.
The first information report was registered following a complaint submitted by a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust after a preliminary SIT report reportedly highlighted multiple irregularities. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody until June 29, while investigators have stated that further action will depend on the findings of interrogation, documentary evidence, and the examination of CCTV footage collected during the investigation.