Supreme Court seeks speedy SIT probe into Ayodhya Ram Mandir fund allegations

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday said that it's chief focus, as of now, is "speedy, fair, impartial and qualitative investigation" into the allegations of fund embezzlement in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant also directed the newly formed Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit a report on the status of its probe on the next hearing. The Bench also directed inclusion of a forensic auditor as a member of the newly constituted SIT.

The development took place during the resumed hearing of a clutch of petitions seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged theft of funds collected for the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.


The Bench assured the petitioners that "rremedial actions will be taken". Speaking for the bench, CJI Kant verbally remarked "we are not closing the matter". He added that the Bench's chief focus currently is to ensure that a "qualitative and speedy" probe into the allegations.

Appearing on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the State has reconstituted the SIT and it is now headed by Inspector General of Police (IG) Kiran S, and comprises senior police officers, including a Deputy Inspector General, an Inspector General and a Superintendent of Police.

Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing on behalf of one of the petitioners, submitted that devotees across the country had contributed amounts ranging from ₹100 to ₹500 through an organised collection drive, and that all of the money has allegedly not reached the trust overseeing the Ram Mandir's construction and management. He urged the Court to direct that receipts issued by the trust be uploaded online to ensure transparency.

However, CJI Kant reiterated that the Court was currently focused on ensuring a fair and speedy investigation and would consider other remedial measures for transparency after the SIT's findings are placed on record.

"Let the SIT give its report. All remedial steps to ensure transparency will be taken," CJI Kant added.

In its order, the Bench recorded that the Uttar Pradesh government has issued an office memorandum constituting an SIT to probe the Ayodhya Ram Mandir fund theft case. The Court also recorded SG Mehta's submission that a forensic auditor will be made part of the investigation.

Earlier this month, the top Court had issued notice to the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on a clutch of public interest litigation petitions seeking a CBI probe into the alleged financial irregularities and missing funds at the temple.

One of the petitions contends that allegations of dishonest misappropriation, diversion and embezzlement of public donations meant for the construction of the Ram Temple warrant the registration of a criminal case and an independent, time-bound probe.

According to the petitioners, although an SIT is already probing the allegations, it lacks the forensic and investigative infrastructure required for a complex financial probe. They further argued that the inquiry was initiated without registering an FIR, leaving the evidentiary value of its findings vulnerable to challenge.