Ram Mandir embezzlement row: SC declines urgent hearing on probe plea; asks petitioner to return on June 29 | India News
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain an oral request for the urgent listing of a petition seeking a court-monitored investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.The court asked the petitioner’s counsel to mention the matter on June 29 for listing.The plea seeks a court-monitored investigation into the alleged financial irregularities in the Trust, including the registration of an FIR and the constitution of a Special Investigation Team under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It also seeks directions to preserve all physical, digital and financial records, including donation registers, audit reports, CCTV footage and bank records.The development comes days after a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government, submitted its preliminary report on alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple.The SIT handed over its report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad after completing a week-long inquiry into the handling of temple donations and financial management systems. According to officials, the report recommends administrative reforms, including the appointment of a chief executive officer on the lines of the management model followed at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to improve transparency, accountability and administrative efficiency.The Uttar Pradesh government had constituted the SIT on June 13 after the temple trust itself sought a probe into allegations of theft and misappropriation of devotees’ offerings. The three-member panel is headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant and includes Inspector General Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan.During the investigation, the SIT examined donation collection and counting procedures, scrutinised financial records and recorded statements of nearly 150 people associated with the temple administration. Officials said the preliminary report contains recommendations aimed at strengthening oversight mechanisms and improving the management of donations. The contents of the report have not been made public.The controversy has also sparked political reactions. Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel accused the BJP and its affiliates of “looting in the name of Ram”, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged attempts to “cover up” the matter. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh also expressed concern over the alleged financial irregularities.The allegations surfaced after claims of missing donation funds and financial mismanagement at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The SIT is also examining allegations related to cash theft, missing ornaments donated by devotees, administrative practices and disputed land transactions. The state government is expected to examine the preliminary findings before deciding on further action.
