A new Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been submitted to the Supreme Court, urging for an FIR and a CBI-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into claims of financial misconduct at the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav filed the petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking a thorough investigation into alleged mismanagement of funds designated for the construction and maintenance of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The petition highlights media reports and public information suggesting potential misappropriation, diversion, and breach of trust regarding public donations and funds meant for religious and charitable purposes. It emphasizes the necessity for a prompt and unbiased investigation in accordance with the law to address these serious allegations.
The petition questions the effectiveness of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the missing funds and financial irregularities, expressing concerns about the team’s capabilities and scope. It stresses the importance of an independent and professional investigation by an agency with specialized expertise and resources to uncover the truth behind the alleged financial discrepancies.
The plea argues that an SIT comprising administrative officers may lack the necessary forensic accounting skills and nationwide jurisdiction required to trace fund movements and identify responsible parties. It warns that delays in initiating a formal criminal case could jeopardize the evidentiary value of collected materials and hinder potential future legal actions, emphasizing the critical nature of the initial stages of any criminal inquiry.
Referring to a previous case involving the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), the petition draws parallels to the Supreme Court’s decision to replace a state-appointed SIT with a CBI-led multidisciplinary team. It requests a similar approach in the current matter and also calls for regulatory measures to ensure transparency and accountability in donation management by the Trust and relevant government bodies.
As an interim measure, the petitioners seek the preservation of all records, physical and digital, related to the Trust’s finances, including donation logs, financial reports, and electronic data. They also request directives to prevent any tampering or destruction of evidence linked to the ongoing investigations.
