SC cautions against politicising Ayodhya Ram Mandir funds embezzlement case, promises 'proper investigation

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday cautioned against politicising the Ayodhya Ram Mandir funds embezzlement case.

Adding that the Bench will ensure a "proper investigation" in the case, a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant verbally remarked, "Just a word of caution ... Don't politicise the issue. Courts are not a place for politics. It's a simple case of commission of crime."

The development took place during the resumed hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged embezzlement of funds meant for the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.


Also read: Ram Mandir Donation theft Case: SC seeks SIT revamp, sets July 27 hearing

In compliance with the Court's directions, a report on the status of the probe was submitted. In response to the Bench's query about who is investigating the case, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, submitted that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to find out the truthfulness. "Now it is being probed by the police. SIT just found that there is a cognizable offence," Mehta added.

The Bench sought the State's response on whether an SIT could be tasked with conducting the investigation as well.

"We will look at the aspect of investigation. The SIT had senior members. Please have instructions if a SIT can be formed for investigation," CJI Kant said. In response, Mehta submitted the same will be done.

On the other hand, one of the petitioners submitted that the petitioners were seeking accountability. The counsel argued that donations were sought at the time of the temple's construction. "Now we are seeking that those receipts are preserved and uploaded," the counsel submitted.

"Yes, we will look into it," the Bench assured.

Other counsel urged the Court for directions to preserve digital records and upload the FIR registered in the case to ensure transparency. The Solicitor General assured that all records have been preserved. The Bench posted the matter for resumed hearing on July 27.

At the last hearing the top Court had issued notice to the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on a batch of public interest litigation petitions seeking a CBI probe into the alleged financial irregularities and missing funds at the temple.

Also read: New team for counting Ram temple donation in two shifts under SBI supervision

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.