Ram Temple donations: SC says SIT must conclude probe; suggestions to Solicitor General
The Supreme Court on Monday (August 17, 2026) adopted a hands-off approach to the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of Ram Temple donations, stating that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is expected to conclude the probe. The court also said that anyone with suggestions for the investigation can direct them to the office of the Solicitor General of India.
A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant made the remarks while hearing petitions related to the case. "Let the SIT conclude. They must take it to its logical conclusion," the Chief Justice said.
Petitioners before the court raised concerns that even the contents of the First Information Report (FIR) had not been shown to them. Others flagged the need to reveal data on donations. "We are also concerned how donations are to be maintained," one petitioner said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, said the donations "are being maintained". The court said that petitioners and other "bona fide persons" who feel that any aspects need thorough investigation by the SIT could approach Mr. Mehta's office with their suggestions. These would be "objectively considered" and passed on to the SIT.
The Bench made it clear that if the SIT was "doing its job satisfactorily, well and good, but if more is required, we will intervene".
On July 27, the apex court had taken on record the Uttar Pradesh government's office memorandum constituting the SIT. Chaired by Kiran S., Inspector General of Police, Lucknow Range, the team includes Somen Barma, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ayodhya Range; Gaurav Grover, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ayodhya; and Ritesh Kumar Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police, Barabanki. The State also confirmed the inclusion of a forensic auditor, given the nature of the allegations involving misappropriation of Trust funds.
The Nirmohi Akhara, represented by senior advocate Sushil Jain, urged the court to hear its application for restructuring the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust into a public trust. The Akhara argued that the present Trust lacked accountability and that the 2019 Ayodhya verdict regarding its representation in the Trust had not been implemented.
The court, however, said the present hearings were only concerned with the investigation into the alleged misappropriation. The Bench said the Akhara could raise the trust restructuring issue separately.
In an earlier hearing, the court had cautioned petitioners against politicising the alleged embezzlement, saying it would treat the matter as a "simple case of commission of offence". The petitioners had sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe and publication of the complete financial details of the Trust, including foreign contributions.
Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Sudhakar Singh, through senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, urged the court to direct the Trust to publish records of all donations since its inception. Mr. Singh's petition seeks a complete statement of cash donations, bank transfers, digital payments, foreign contributions, gold, silver, and other valuables, along with details of their accounting, custody, and utilisation.
The MP had submitted that it was of "exceptional public importance" that the truth came out in the case, and that public confidence in one of the country's most revered religious institutions must be preserved. He also stressed the need for constitutional safeguards to ensure the investigation into the handling of devotees' offerings is fair.
