Supreme Court to Hear Plea Seeking CBI Probe into Ram Temple Donations
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a set of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) on Monday that seek a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged financial irregularities involving public donations for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The petitions, filed by two advocates, name the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the state of Uttar Pradesh, and the Union of India as respondents. The petitioners allege dishonest misappropriation, diversion, and embezzlement of funds collected from the public for the temple's construction.
Currently, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the Uttar Pradesh government is probing the allegations. However, the petitioners argue that the SIT lacks the necessary forensic and investigative capabilities to handle a complex financial probe. They also note that the SIT began its inquiry without registering a First Information Report (FIR).
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana will hear the matter. The court's decision on whether to order a CBI investigation is awaited.
The plea highlights concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of public donations for a major religious project. The outcome of the hearing may set a precedent for how such allegations are addressed in large-scale charitable initiatives.
