The Supreme Court on Monday directed the special investigation team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh Government to submit a status report on its probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, news agency PTI reported.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N Kotiswar Singh also issued a notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on petitions seeking a fair and time-bound investigation into the alleged donation misappropriation.
One of the petitions, filed by Narendra Kumar Goswami, sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged financial irregularities. He also sought an audit of the trust’s finances by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
Two other petitions, filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, sought similar reliefs. A separate petition filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Member of Parliament (MP) Sudhakar Singh sought a Supreme Court-monitored CBI investigation along with a forensic audit of the trust’s entire finances.
Earlier, a partial working day bench headed by Justice BV Nagarathna had permitted one of the petitioners to mention the matter for an urgent hearing on a later date.
The petition filed by Rai and Yadav sought the constitution of a CBI-led multi-disciplinary SIT to investigate the alleged financial irregularities and other purported illegalities relating to the affairs and administration of the temple trust.
Petitions seek stronger oversight of temple trust
Rai also sought directions to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh Government, and the trust to establish appropriate regulatory, supervisory and audit mechanisms to safeguard public interest and maintain the confidence of millions of devotees and donors.
“Whether or not the reports regarding missing funds and other alleged irregularities concerning the 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,” the petition stated.
The plea further contended that the SIT had commenced its inquiry without the registration of a first information report (FIR) or any regular criminal case.
It said the allegations not only concern the possible commission of cognisable offences but also directly affect the faith, sentiments, and confidence of countless devotees and members of the public.
On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh Government constituted the SIT at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following allegations of misappropriation of donations received at the temple.
The SIT comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S, and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan.
(With PTI inputs)
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