The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and requested a status report from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government. This comes in response to several petitions seeking a court-monitored inquiry into alleged financial irregularities related to donations and offerings received by the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, instructed the SIT to present a detailed status report, including its composition, by July 20.
A batch of petitions, including those filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami, Ajay Kumar Rai, and RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, was being heard by the Bench, which also includes Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana. The Supreme Court acknowledged the ongoing investigation and directed the SIT to submit a comprehensive status report. The order emphasized the need for the report to include details about the SIT’s composition.
During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government, mentioned that government authorities would assist the apex court in the matter. He assured that the status report would be submitted in a sealed cover. However, when petitioners requested a copy of the report, SG Mehta opposed, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. The Court declined the request at this stage, stating that it would be considered later due to the ongoing investigation.
The petitions aim to initiate a court-monitored investigation into the alleged financial discrepancies concerning donations and offerings managed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami’s writ petition highlights the necessity for record preservation and transparency in the temple’s administration. It stresses that temple offerings are considered sacred trust property, and those handling them have fiduciary responsibilities of transparency and accountability.
