New Delhi, 19 July (H.S.):

The Nirmohi Akhara has approached the Supreme Court seeking the restructuring of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the management of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. In its petition, the Akhara has sought a forensic investigation into the transfer of properties and financial transactions carried out by the trust board.

The petition has been filed in the wake of recent allegations regarding the alleged theft of donations made at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The Nirmohi Akhara has also sought the reinstatement of the idols that existed in the temple from 1950 and 1982 in place of the newly installed idol. The plea has been filed in connection with the matter on which a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had delivered its verdict.

In its petition, the Nirmohi Akhara alleged that the 2019 Supreme Court judgment on the Ram Temple issue was not implemented in its true spirit. It claimed that a private trust was constituted with some nominated members and some ex-officio members, and alleged that some individuals associated with the trust may have mismanaged or interfered with the properties belonging to the deity.

The Supreme Court, while hearing a plea seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged theft of offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, had issued notices to the trust and the Uttar Pradesh government on July 13. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant had sought records related to the formation of the SIT. The matter is scheduled for hearing on July 20.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar