Ram temple donation row: SC urged to adjourn hearing on pleas due to unavailability of SG

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to defer the hearing on a batch of petitions demanding a court-monitored investigation into alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The request came from the counsel representing the Uttar Pradesh government, citing the unavailability of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who had traveled to the United Nations with a delegation to attend a function. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana considered the plea and agreed to delay the proceedings. The lawyer informed the bench that the cases were scheduled for hearing and requested them to be taken up the following week. The court had previously set up a special investigation team (SIT) led by Inspector General of Police Kiran S to probe allegations of misuse of funds related to the temple. On July 27, the bench noted the formation of this four-member team and instructed the Uttar Pradesh government to include a forensic auditor in the probe. Observing that “remedial actions will have to be taken,” the court emphasized the need for ensuring transparency in the process. The bench also ordered the SIT to submit a status report within two weeks. Earlier, on July 20, the court had asked the Uttar Pradesh government to provide information regarding the feasibility of establishing the SIT to investigate the alleged financial irregularities. It directed the solicitor general to seek guidance on whether the SIT, which had already examined the issue prior to the filing of the First Information Report (FIR), should take over the probe instead of the local police. Chief Justice Kant cautioned against politicizing the matter, stating that the judiciary is not a platform for political discourse. He reiterated that the focus should remain on the commission of a crime and the need for a thorough investigation. Law officers confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, with eight individuals having been arrested. However, they declined to disclose further details. On July 13, the court had directed the Uttar Pradesh Police to submit a progress report on the matter. It also issued a notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, urging it to respond to petitions seeking a transparent and timely inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of funds. One of the petitioners, Narendra Kumar Goswami, had approached the Supreme Court requesting a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the issue. He also sought an audit of the trust's finances by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav filed another petition with similar demands. Additionally, RJD MP Sudhakar Singh submitted a third petition calling for a forensic audit of the entire financial operations of the temple trust. These petitions underscore the growing concern among stakeholders about the management of funds associated with the historic site. The situation reflects a broader tension surrounding the governance and accountability of religious institutions managing large sums of public contributions. As the legal proceedings continue, the court’s role in ensuring impartiality and transparency remains central to resolving the dispute. With the hearing postponed pending the return of the solicitor general, the focus shifts to the progress of the ongoing investigations and the eventual resolution of the allegations. The outcome of these proceedings will likely influence future oversight mechanisms for such organizations.