Ram Temple Trust – RJD MP Seeks Supreme Court-Monitored CBI Investigation
Ram Temple Trust – Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Sudhakar Singh has moved the Supreme Court seeking an independent investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya. The petition asks the court to intervene in order to protect donations made by devotees and ensure that the allegations are examined through an impartial process.
Petition seeks transfer of inquiry to CBI
In the public interest litigation, Singh has requested that the ongoing probe be transferred from the Uttar Pradesh Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The plea has also sought direct monitoring of the proposed CBI inquiry by the Supreme Court.
The petition argues that a court-supervised investigation would help maintain public confidence in the handling of temple donations. It states that the matter concerns funds contributed by devotees and requires a transparent examination of the allegations.
Request to secure financial records
The plea has asked the court to direct authorities to preserve all records linked to the Trust’s financial operations. These include physical files, digital account books, UPI transaction details, bank statements and other documents connected with donations and expenditure.
According to the petition, securing these records is necessary to prevent any possible alteration, loss or destruction of evidence during the investigation. It has also sought safeguards to ensure that relevant financial information remains available for scrutiny by investigators and auditors.
Restrictions sought on major financial decisions
Singh has further requested that the Trust be restrained from making major investments, entering into high-value agreements or taking significant financial decisions without approval from a proposed oversight committee.
The petition, filed through advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, seeks the creation of an independent mechanism to supervise key financial actions while the allegations are being investigated. The proposed committee would be expected to review substantial transactions and contracts to ensure that the Trust’s funds are handled responsibly.
Demand for independent forensic audit
The PIL has also called for a detailed forensic audit of the Trust’s accounts. It seeks an examination of donations, offerings, bank transfers, financial records and other transactions by an independent agency with established credibility.
The petition has requested that the audit report be submitted directly to the Supreme Court. A forensic review, it says, would help establish whether there were any irregularities in the collection, management or use of funds received by the Trust.
Supreme Court had declined urgent hearing earlier
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court declined urgent listing of two separate petitions that had sought a court-monitored investigation into allegations related to the alleged misuse of donations collected for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir.
The latest plea has been filed while the Uttar Pradesh government’s Special Investigation Team continues its inquiry into the alleged embezzlement of funds from temple donation boxes. The case has drawn attention because of the scale of public contributions associated with the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
SIT inquiry continues after arrests
The Uttar Pradesh government formed the SIT following a request from the Trust. An FIR was registered on June 25 after the team submitted its preliminary findings. Eight people were arrested in connection with the case after the FIR was filed.
The state government has since extended the SIT’s investigation by 15 days, allowing the team to expand its inquiry and examine additional aspects of the allegations.
RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale recently described the alleged misuse of temple donations as highly condemnable. He said those found responsible should face strict action and urged the Trust to strengthen its financial systems and maintain transparent administration to protect the confidence of devotees.