Ayodhya Donations – Supreme Court to Hear Ram Temple Fund Probe Pleas
Ayodhya Donations –The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a group of petitions on July 13 seeking an independent, court-supervised investigation into allegations of financial irregularities linked to donations received for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The petitions concern the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the temple’s administration and related affairs.
Three petitions listed before Supreme Court Bench
According to the Supreme Court’s official cause list, the matter will be taken up after the court reopens on Monday. The Bench is expected to include Chief Justice Surya Kant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana.
The petitions have called for a fair, transparent and time-bound inquiry into claims of alleged misuse or diversion of funds collected from devotees. The petitioners have also sought stronger financial monitoring mechanisms for the Trust.
Petitioners seek CBI inquiry and financial audit
One petition, filed by Narendra Kumar Goswami, has requested a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the alleged misappropriation of donations. It has also sought an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India to examine the Trust’s financial records.
Another plea, submitted by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, has sought the formation of a multi-disciplinary Special Investigation Team led by the CBI. The petition asks for an inquiry into alleged financial discrepancies as well as other claims concerning the Trust’s administration.
A separate petition filed by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh has sought a CBI investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court. It also requests a forensic review of the Trust’s accounts and transactions.
Demand for independent verification of allegations
The petition filed by Rai argues that reports of missing funds and other alleged irregularities should be examined by an agency with expertise in financial crime and criminal investigation. It says an independent inquiry could help establish the facts and address concerns among devotees and donors.
The plea states that the allegations have generated public anxiety, particularly among people associated with the long campaign for the construction and restoration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. It adds that an investigation by a unified professional agency would carry greater public confidence than a preliminary examination by administrative officials.
The petition also seeks directions for the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government and the temple Trust to introduce suitable regulatory, supervisory and audit systems. These measures, it says, would help protect public interest and strengthen accountability in the handling of donations.
Questions raised over Uttar Pradesh SIT process
The petition has also raised objections to the Uttar Pradesh government’s Special Investigation Team inquiry. It has questioned why the SIT was formed without the registration of a First Information Report or a regular criminal case.
The Uttar Pradesh government had formed a three-member SIT on June 13 after the temple Trust requested an inquiry into allegations related to donation handling. The panel includes Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S. and Special Secretary for Finance Neel Ratan.
Earlier, a partial working-day Bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna had asked one of the petitioners to mention the matter again for an urgent hearing.
Criminal investigation continues in Ayodhya
The criminal investigation connected to the alleged theft of donations is continuing separately. On July 7, an Ayodhya court granted one-day police custody of three accused persons — Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra and Karunesh Pandey.
The three were among eight people who had earlier been sent to 14 days of judicial custody by a local court on June 29. The Supreme Court hearing is expected to determine whether the petitions seeking a wider and court-monitored investigation require further consideration.