The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to grant an urgent hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored investigation into the handling of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the management of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. However, the apex court assured the petitioner that the matter would be listed for hearing in due course.
The plea was mentioned before a Bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami, who appeared in person. Goswami told the court that his immediate concern was to secure an urgent listing of the case to ensure the preservation of crucial evidence related to donations and offerings received by the Trust.
According to the petition, there is a need to preserve CCTV footage, digital payment records, accounting documents and other evidence linked to donations made at the Ram Temple. The petitioner has sought directions for a forensic audit of the funds received by the Trust and has called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of temple finances.
The PIL raises concerns over alleged financial irregularities and refers to an ongoing investigation being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government. The petitioner clarified before the court that the plea is limited to issues concerning the administration and management of donations and does not seek any interference with religious practices or temple rituals.
The matter comes amid an ongoing probe into allegations of embezzlement of temple funds. A three-member SIT headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant recently submitted its preliminary findings to the Uttar Pradesh government. Authorities are continuing a detailed investigation into the allegations, with further findings expected as the probe progresses.
While declining to hear the matter urgently, the Supreme Court's assurance that the petition will be listed in due course leaves open the possibility of judicial scrutiny of the issues raised regarding the management and auditing of donations received by the Ram Temple Trust.
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