SC rejects plea to link Ayodhya donation probe with Ramjanmabhoomi title dispute

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea seeking to connect the ongoing investigation into alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya with the long-standing Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri land dispute. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana clarified that its oversight of the probe was strictly limited to ensuring the investigation remained independent and impartial, and did not involve revisiting the historical land rights case. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the central government and the Uttar Pradesh administration, emphasized that the application had no bearing on the Ayodhya land dispute, which had already been resolved through judicial process. The court permitted individuals and groups who wished to contribute ideas for enhancing the effectiveness, accountability, and transparency of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to present their suggestions. These proposals, the bench noted, could be evaluated for potential improvements in the investigative process. The SIT, established under a July 27 directive, is tasked with examining allegations of misuse of funds collected by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The team includes a forensic auditor and is currently conducting its inquiry into the financial activities of the trust. The court ordered that the SIT's current status report be submitted in a sealed envelope for its review, with the matter postponed for further discussion after three weeks due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. During the hearing, senior counsel Sushil Jain, representing the Nirmohi Akhara, one of the original claimants in the Ramjanmabhoomi title dispute, argued that the Akhara had a vested interest in the original case and thus had grounds to file the application. However, the bench rejected this argument, noting that the application was unrelated to the land dispute, which had already been concluded. The court stressed that its involvement was solely focused on overseeing the investigation into the financial allegations, not on revisiting past legal matters. When senior advocate Puneet Jain attempted to draw a connection between the application and the original case based on the origin of the temple trust, the bench firmly stated that such a link was not valid, as the matter had been settled. In response to concerns raised during previous hearings, the court reiterated its stance that the probe should remain non-political and centered on factual examination. On July 20, the bench had warned against any attempt to politicize the investigation, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness. Earlier, on July 13, the court had directed the Uttar Pradesh Police to provide an update on the case, and on July 10, it had issued a notice to the temple trust regarding petitions demanding a timely and impartial probe into the alleged misuse of donations. Following reports of irregularities in how donations were managed at the temple, multiple petitioners, including RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, had approached the Supreme Court, requesting a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and a forensic audit of the trust’s finances. The bench instructed the SIT to expedite its work and finalize its findings, with a particular focus on identifying any procedural lapses or areas requiring reform in the handling of donations. If the investigation reveals deficiencies, the court indicated it would consider measures to address them. The SIT, which includes law enforcement officials and a forensic expert, continues its work under the supervision of the judiciary, with regular updates expected to be submitted in the coming weeks. The court’s decision underscores its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the probe while ensuring it remains free from external pressures or political influences.