Petitioners have sought registration of an FIR and a CBI-led SIT to examine alleged financial irregularities linked to temple donations
The controversy surrounding donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has reached the Supreme Court, with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a detailed investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the management and utilisation of funds.
The plea, filed by practising advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, has urged the apex court to order a comprehensive probe into the functioning and administration of the trust responsible for managing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The petition seeks the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and calls for the registration of an FIR to facilitate a formal inquiry into the allegations.
Demand for independent investigation
According to the petition, the allegations are serious enough to warrant an impartial and transparent investigation by a specialised agency. The plea has requested that the probe be conducted within a fixed timeframe to ensure accountability and avoid delays.
The petitioners have also sought directions from the Supreme Court to examine whether any financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds or corruption occurred in relation to donations received by the trust.
They argued that a fair and independent inquiry is necessary to establish the facts and maintain public confidence in institutions handling large public contributions.
Why a CBI-led SIT?
The plea contends that reports of alleged missing funds and other irregularities should be examined through a professional investigation conducted by an agency experienced in handling complex financial and criminal matters.
The petition states that a CBI-led inquiry would inspire greater public confidence than a probe conducted solely by administrative officials.
It further argues that the issue goes beyond financial accountability and is closely linked to the faith and sentiments of millions of devotees, making a transparent investigation essential.
UP government’s SIT already probing allegations
The development comes days after the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team on June 13 to examine allegations related to the alleged misuse of donations received at the Ram Temple.
The state-appointed SIT comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S, and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan.
The panel has been tasked with investigating the allegations and submitting its findings to the state government.
The Supreme Court is yet to take up the PIL for hearing.
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