A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said it would first assess the progress of the ongoing SIT investigation before deciding whether the case should be transferred to the CBI.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, July 13: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a comprehensive status report on its investigation into allegations of large-scale misappropriation of donations made by devotees at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued notices to the Union Government, the Uttar Pradesh Government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, while hearing a batch of petitions seeking a court-monitored probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged financial irregularities.
The bench, however, made it clear that it would first examine the progress of the ongoing SIT investigation before deciding whether there was any need to transfer the case to the CBI or order any additional relief.
“We would like to see what progress has been made by the SIT,” the Chief Justice observed, directing the state-appointed investigation team to file a detailed report outlining the status of the probe, the evidence collected so far, and the composition of the investigating team.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, opposed the issuance of notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, arguing that such a step was unnecessary at this stage. The bench, however, proceeded to issue notice to the Trust, stating that all stakeholders connected with the matter should have an opportunity to respond.
The Solicitor General further informed the court that the SIT’s status report would be filed in a sealed cover owing to the sensitive nature of the investigation. Counsel appearing for the petitioners requested that they also be furnished a copy of the report. Responding to the request, the bench remarked, “You know the law… Eventually they will see the report,” indicating that the court would decide the extent of disclosure after examining the contents.
The hearing also witnessed a lighter exchange when one of the advocates repeatedly raised his voice during arguments. Smiling, Chief Justice Surya Kant remarked, “You don’t need to shout here—you need to preserve your voice for outside,” drawing laughter in the courtroom.
The matter has now been listed for further hearing next Monday, when the court is expected to examine the SIT’s findings and hear submissions on whether the ongoing state investigation is sufficient or whether an independent agency such as the CBI should take over the probe.
Allegations of Donation Misappropriation
The case concerns allegations that cash donations, gold ornaments, silver offerings and other valuables made by devotees at the Ram Temple were misappropriated by persons responsible for handling the temple’s donation collection and accounting system.
Following public complaints and demands for an independent inquiry, the Uttar Pradesh Government constituted a Special Investigation Team on June 13 under the leadership of Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant.
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The SIT submitted its preliminary findings to the state government on June 23. Subsequently, on July 1, the Uttar Pradesh Government extended the tenure of the investigation by another 15 days to enable the team to conduct a more exhaustive inquiry.
Officials familiar with the investigation said the SIT is expected to revisit Ayodhya to scrutinise donation registers, electronic transaction records, CCTV footage and accounting procedures, besides questioning temple officials and individuals associated with the management of donations.
The Supreme Court’s decision to seek a detailed progress report indicates that it intends to closely monitor developments before deciding whether the allegations warrant intervention by the country’s premier investigative agency.
The outcome of next week’s hearing could prove significant, as the court will evaluate whether the existing investigation has been impartial and comprehensive enough to inspire public confidence, or whether the circumstances justify transferring the probe to the CBI under judicial supervision.
