‘Heavens Not Falling’: Supreme Court Declines Urgent Hearing on Ram Temple Donation Allegations
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant an urgent hearing to a batch of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged financial irregularities at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, involving the embezzlement of public donations.
A vacation bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and Sheel Nagu dismissed the request for an expedited out-of-turn hearing, stating that the petitions would be listed once the court resumes full regular functioning after July 13.
“Heavens are not going to fall,” the bench remarked when the petitioner’s counsel pressed for urgency, citing the seriousness of the matter. The court noted that it follows the same procedure for all cases and will hear the pleas in due course.
The petitions, filed by two advocates, name the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Union of India as respondents. They allege dishonest misappropriation, diversion, and embezzlement of public donations intended for the temple’s construction.
While the Uttar Pradesh government has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations, the petitioners claim the SIT lacks forensic and investigative resources for a complex financial probe and began its inquiry without registering an FIR. They also expressed apprehension that electronic evidence, such as CCTV footage, might be tampered with.
One of the petitions cited media reports, stating, “The nature and gravity of the allegations warrant the immediate registration of a Regular Case/ FIR and a fair, independent and time-bound investigation… so as to secure relevant evidence.” It added that opaque fund handling by a fiduciary institution impacts the faith of devotees who donated for the temple.
The Supreme Court, currently operating with reduced strength due to summer break, is scheduled to resume full operations on July 13. The petitions will be heard in the first week after the reopening.
