Ram Mandir donation theft case: SC directs UP govt to report on SIT feasibility; here’s what CJI said

Ram Mandir Donation Theft Case: Supreme Court Orders UP Government to Assess SIT Feasibility

Theindiapostdaily.com – The Supreme Court on Monday instructed the Uttar Pradesh government to provide an update on the viability of establishing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine claims of donation misuse tied to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The court emphasized that the matter should remain neutral and not gain political traction. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, sought clarification from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta regarding whether the earlier SIT, which investigated the issue prior to the filing of a formal FIR, could take over the case instead of the local police.

CJI’s Caution Against Politicisation

“A simple crime is being presented here. The courts are not arenas for political debate. Our role is to ensure the investigation is thorough and unbiased,” stated the Chief Justice, addressing the bench’s concerns.

Mehta noted that the state government had already submitted a status report in line with a prior directive. He mentioned that an ongoing investigation had led to the arrest of eight individuals but cautioned against revealing further details. The court also questioned whether the SIT, which included two senior IAS officials and the Lucknow Inspector General of Police, could fairly lead the main inquiry, highlighting the need for transparency in the process.

Petitioners Push for CBI Probe and Financial Audit

Devadatt Kamat, representing a petitioner, argued that the Trust’s donation records should be preserved and shared publicly. The Supreme Court has scheduled a review of the case for next Monday. On 13 July, the bench had previously mandated the UP Police to report on the matter and issued a notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for a fair, time-bound investigation.

Petition Details and Previous Orders

Narendra Kumar Goswami, one of the petitioners, requested a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the allegations. He also called for a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of the Trust’s finances. Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav filed a second petition with similar demands. Sudhakar Singh, an RJD MP, added a forensic audit of the temple’s entire financial records. A partial bench, led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna, had earlier prioritized urgent hearings for the case. Rai’s plea stressed that the issue extends beyond criminal violations, impacting public trust and the religious sentiments of millions.