A petition in the Supreme Court seeks registration of an FIR and a time-bound probe into alleged embezzlement of Ayodhya Ram Temple funds. The plea demands a CBI-led SIT investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
A petition was filed before the Supreme Court requesting the registration of an FIR and a fair, time-bound investigation into allegations of funds embezzlement connected to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Submitted by two practising advocates, the petition seeks the constitution of a CBI-led, multi-disciplinary Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged financial irregularities and other potential illegalities relating to the functioning and administration of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The petition further asks the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Trust to set up regulatory, supervisory, and audit mechanisms aimed at protecting public interest and maintaining the confidence of millions of devotees and donors.
The plea filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, said,
“Whether or not the reports regarding missing funds and other alleged irregularities concerning the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust are ultimately found to be true, such reports have caused deep concern among the generations that struggled for the restoration of the glory of Ayodhya,”
According to the petition, the SIT formed by the Uttar Pradesh government has already initiated its inquiry, despite the absence of an FIR or any formal criminal case.
The plea argues that allegations of missing funds and other irregularities should be verified through an independent investigation carried out by a single agency with the necessary expertise, resources, and institutional capacity to handle complex financial and criminal matters.
The plea said,
“Such an inquiry would inspire greater public confidence than a preliminary probe conducted by a special investigation team (SIT) comprising administrative officers who may not possess specialized credentials in criminal investigation,”
It also contends that the issue is not limited to the possible commission of cognisable offences, but instead directly affects the faith, emotions, and trust of devotees and the wider public.
Earlier, On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted an SIT at the request of the temple trust following allegations of misappropriation of donations received at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
The SIT includes Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S, and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan.
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