Allahabad High Court to hear plea seeking CBI probe into Ram Temple donation irregularity allegations

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court is scheduled to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) on Monday seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in donations made at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

A division bench comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjeev Shukla will hear the petition, which was filed on June 12.

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The PIL seeks a CBI investigation into allegations of theft and irregularities related to donations collected through the temple's donation boxes. It also requests the court to direct an audit of the temple's donations by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

The petitioner has further sought directions for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and an impartial investigation under the supervision of a police officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP).

In addition, the plea calls for a detailed inquiry into the collection, accounting and management of cash, gold, silver and other offerings received at the temple.

The court hearing comes on the same day that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is scheduled to hold a meeting at 3 p.m. at the Ram Temple complex amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the allegations.

The meeting will be chaired by Trust President Nritya Gopal Das, although sources said there is uncertainty over his participation due to his health condition.

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Among those expected to attend are Treasurer Govind Dev Giri, trustees Vishwaprasannatirth, Swami Parmanand Giri, Jagadguru Vasudevanand Saraswati, Krishna Mohan, Anil Mishra and General Secretary Champat Rai, according to sources.

Ex-officio members, including Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi, Uttar Pradesh Home Secretary Sanjay Prasad, the Centre's representative Prashant Lokhande and Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra, are also expected to attend. Trust member K. Parasaran is likely to participate via video conferencing, sources added.

The allegations have triggered a political debate, with Opposition parties calling for an investigation, while the BJP has accused them of attempting to target the Hindu faith.

Earlier, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Dinendra Das said the Trust would abide by the outcome of any legal process.

"The trust will accept whatever verdict will be given... If a theft occurred at the place of Ramlala, even death penalty would be accepted as punishment," he said.

Ahead of the Trust meeting, trustee Krishna Mohan and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Central Secretary Rajendra Singh 'Pankaj' visited Vaidehi Bhawan in Ayodhya, where Govind Dev Giri Maharaj is currently staying.

Meanwhile, the police investigation into the alleged donation theft has also progressed. According to police sources, the Ayodhya Police have obtained permission from a court to question five of the eight accused who are currently in judicial custody.

The five accused — Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Ram Shankar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Manish Yadav — will be questioned inside the jail, and their statements will be formally recorded.

Separately, the Ayodhya Sant Mandal has expressed support for Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and urged the Trust not to accept his resignation.