Supreme Court demands update on probe into Ram Temple donation theft

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday sought a status report from the Uttar Pradesh government on the investigation into the theft of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sanjay Kumar directed the state's counsel to file an affidavit detailing the progress of the case within two weeks.

The court was hearing a petition filed by a devotee who alleged that a significant amount of cash donated by pilgrims had been stolen from the temple's donation boxes. The petitioner claimed that the theft occurred due to negligence by the temple administration and demanded a thorough investigation.

Senior advocate appearing for the petitioner argued that the temple's security arrangements were inadequate, leading to the misappropriation of funds meant for the temple's development and charitable activities. The counsel urged the court to monitor the probe to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Uttar Pradesh government, represented by its standing counsel, assured the court that an FIR had been registered and an investigation was underway. The counsel submitted that the police were examining CCTV footage and questioning suspects.

The Supreme Court, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of concrete information and directed the state to submit a detailed probe status report. The court also asked the temple trust to file its response on the security measures in place.

The matter is now listed for further hearing after two weeks. The court has made it clear that it expects a fair and expeditious investigation to bring the culprits to book and restore public confidence in the temple's management.

The Ram Temple, a site of immense religious significance, has been under the spotlight since its construction. The theft of donations has raised questions about the handling of public funds and the need for robust oversight mechanisms.