Ram Mandir Donation Theft: SC Issues Notice to Trust, Seeks SIT Report

The Supreme Court of India on Monday commenced a significant hearing regarding the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, while during the proceedings, the apex court issued a formal notice to the Ram Mandir Trust, seeking their response to the allegations of financial irregularities. Also, the court has directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit a comprehensive status report detailing the progress of the ongoing investigation into the matter. This report is required to be submitted in a sealed cover to maintain the confidentiality of the findings at this stage of the judicial process.

Bench Composition and Initial Proceedings

A three-member bench presided over by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Suryakant is currently adjudicating the matter. At the onset of the hearing, the Solicitor General (SG) informed the bench that the state authorities are already actively investigating the case. Despite this assurance, the Supreme Court proceeded to issue a notice to the Ram Mandir Trust to ensure a comprehensive judicial review. Notably, the court has refrained from issuing notices to the Central and State Governments for the time being, following the Solicitor General's commitment that the authorities would provide full cooperation to the court in this inquiry.

Details of the Four Petitions

The Supreme Court is simultaneously hearing a total of 4 petitions related to the alleged financial irregularities and theft of funds. Among these is a petition filed by the Hindu Dharmaparishad, which specifically demands that the investigation into the donation theft be conducted under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court to ensure transparency and public trust. The other petitions include a writ petition filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami, as well as petitions from Ajay Kumar Rai and RJD MP Sudhakar Singh. The collective demand of these petitioners is to ensure a fair and impartial probe into the management of the temple's funds, which they argue is necessary for a transparent investigation.

Demands for CBI Probe and Forensic Audit

The legal challenges presented before the bench outline several specific demands aimed at uncovering the truth. Two of the petitions explicitly seek a transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure an independent inquiry. A third petition goes further, requesting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the CBI's aegis. This particular petition also emphasizes the urgent need to preserve all existing evidence and calls for a comprehensive forensic audit of the Ram Mandir Trust's financial transactions to identify any discrepancies or misappropriation of funds that may have occurred.

Political Allegations and Congress's Stance

The issue has also gained significant political traction, with the Congress party raising serious allegations of irregularities in the donation collection process for the Ram Mandir. " He alleged that the funds collected in the name of Lord Ram have been turned into a tool for political gain by the BJP and RSS. " The opposition continues to demand a judicial inquiry into the alleged economic irregularities within the temple's donation management system to protect the sentiments of the devotees.