Ram Mandir donation theft: Supreme Court seeks report from UP SIT; issues notice to Trust

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a report from the special investigation team (SIT) constituted by the State of Uttar Pradesh (UP) on the status of probe into Ayodhya Ram Mandir funds embezzlement case.

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also issued notice in the matter to the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Theerth Kshetra Trust on a batch of public interest litigation (PIL) petitions seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the financial irregularities and missing funds at the temple.

"Issue notice. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta accepts notice. Issue notice to Teerth Kshetra trust. Let a status report be filed. We direct SIT constituted by State of UP to submit a status report before this court. The SIT shall also have member composition," the Court directed.

At least three petitions were heard today on the issue.

One of the petitions, filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, arraigned Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the State of Uttar Pradesh and the Union of India as respondents.

As per the plea, allegations of dishonest misappropriation, diversion and embezzlement of public donations meant for the construction of the Ram Temple warrant registration of a regular case and an independent, time-bound investigation.

According to the petitioners, though a special investigation team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh is already probing the allegations, the SIT lacks the forensic and investigative infrastructure required for a complex financial probe and that it commenced inquiry without registration of a first information report (FIR), leaving the evidentiary value of its findings vulnerable to challenge.

Drawing a parallel with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam adulterated ghee case, the petition referred to the Supreme Court's October 2024 order in Subramanian Swamy v. State of Andhra Pradesh, where the State SIT was substituted with an independent multidisciplinary SIT headed by the CBI.

As per the plea, interim directions should be issued to the Trust and the State to preserve all physical, electronic and financial records, including donation registers, ledgers, CCTV footage, bank records and software databases.

Another petition was filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Member of Parliament Sudhakar Singh seeking transfer of the ongoing investigation CBI under the supervision of the Supreme Court.

As per that plea, constitution of a temporary court-monitored oversight committee comprising retired judicial officers, financial experts and persons of “impeccable integrity” is necessary to oversee the Trust’s secular financial and administrative affairs during the pendency of the investigation.

The petitioner also sought directions to preserve all physical and electronic financial records, including account books, bank records, UPI logs, CCTV footage, emails and servers, to prevent destruction or tampering of evidence.

Singh further sought directions to the Trust to publish audited financial statements, donation details, utilisation of funds and other financial information on its official website at regular intervals, while safeguarding the personal details of donors.

"After a battle of 123 years ..another battle has started SIT is formed. The evidence etc which is electronic in nature need to be preserved," the counsel for one of the petitioners submitted.

"Please preserve your energy. It will be needed outside," the CJI remarked before issuing notice on the petitions.

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