CJI Surya Kant-led bench to hear plea seeking CBI probe into temple donation row

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, is scheduled to hear on July 13 a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the donation funds received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.

The bench, which also comprises Justices Joymalya Bagchi and VS Mohan, will hear the petition filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav. A separate plea filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh on the same issue has also been listed for hearing.

The petition seeks a comprehensive probe into allegations of irregularities and alleged embezzlement involving donations and offerings made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It calls for a court-monitored investigation to ascertain whether any financial misappropriation or corruption took place in the handling of funds received by the trust.

According to the plea, an FIR has already been registered in the matter, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh Police has submitted an interim report. However, the petitioners have argued that an independent investigation led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) through a specially constituted SIT is necessary to ensure a fair, impartial and time-bound probe.

The petition also seeks directions to the Uttar Pradesh government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust to establish a robust audit and oversight mechanism for the trust's finances and assets to prevent similar allegations in the future.

DONATION RECORDS TO BE PRESERVED

Additionally, the petitioners have requested the apex court to direct the state government and the trust to preserve all records related to donations until the investigation is completed. These include bank account details, donation registers, audit reports, CCTV footage, computer records and other relevant documents. The plea further seeks an order restraining any destruction, alteration or tampering with evidence during the course of the investigation.

The matter had earlier been mentioned before the Supreme Court during the summer vacation, with the petitioners seeking an urgent hearing. However, the vacation bench declined the request, observing that the matter would be listed only after the prescribed procedural requirements were completed and that there was no immediate urgency warranting an expedited hearing.

The case is now set to come up before the Chief Justice-led bench on Monday, when the court is expected to consider the maintainability of the petitions and the reliefs sought by the petitioners.

- Ends