New Delhi, 02 November (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Monday disposed of petitions seeking an independent investigation into alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya after the Uttar Pradesh government informed it that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had filed a chargesheet in the case. The court directed the local judicial magistrate to proceed with the trial in accordance with the law.

Appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, that the SIT investigation had found alleged irregularities in the handling of temple donations during the counting process.

Mehta submitted that some of the accused had allegedly invested the misappropriated funds in properties, while others had deposited the money in bank accounts.

Taking note of the government's submission, the Bench disposed of the petitions and permitted the petitioners to assist the judicial magistrate during the trial, in view of the public interest involved in the matter. The court clarified that it had expressed no opinion on the merits of the allegations and that the proceedings would be decided independently by the trial court.

The development follows the Uttar Pradesh government's submission on July 27 that a fresh SIT had been constituted to investigate the alleged theft of donations. Subsequently, the Supreme Court directed that a forensic auditor be associated with the investigation to strengthen its financial scrutiny.

During an earlier hearing, senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for one of the petitioners, argued that donations collected from devotees across the country for the construction of the Ram Temple should be comprehensively audited. He also called for greater transparency in the disclosure of funds received and their utilisation by the temple trust.

On July 13, the Supreme Court had issued notices to the temple trust and the Uttar Pradesh government and sought records relating to the constitution of the SIT.

The petitions were filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, among others. They sought directions to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to establish an effective mechanism to prevent financial irregularities and ensure transparency in the management of donations, citing the faith and sentiments of millions of devotees associated with the temple.

Earlier, another advocate had also written to the Supreme Court seeking its suo motu intervention and an independent investigation into the allegations. In his letter, advocate Anoop Awasthi highlighted the religious significance of the issue and urged the court to monitor the investigation, arguing that the matter concerned the faith of millions of people.

The letter also noted that the temple trust was established following the Supreme Court's 2019 judgment in the Ayodhya land dispute. The temple's consecration ceremony, or Pran Pratishtha, was held on January 22, 2024. Since then, large numbers of devotees have been visiting the shrine daily and making offerings to the temple.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar