The Supreme Court has directed the newly formed SIT to file an interim report within two weeks regarding the alleged misappropriation of donations for the Ayodhya temple.
New Delhi, India Jul 27, 2026 ALN: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the new Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government, to file an interim probe report within two weeks. This directive comes amid growing concerns regarding the transparency and integrity of donations made for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The court emphasized that the focus is now entirely on a speedy and qualitative investigation into the allegations surrounding the misuse of funds.
"We will continue to monitor the investigation," stated the three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant. This statement underscores the court's commitment to ensuring that the investigation is conducted thoroughly and efficiently, reflecting the importance of the matter at hand.
During the course of the hearing on Monday, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, informed the court that an SIT has been formed, led by Inspector General of Police Kiran S., along with Deputy Inspector General Somen Barma, Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Grover, and an additional Superintendent of Police. This team is tasked with investigating the allegations related to the collection and management of donations for the temple.
One of the lawyers representing a petitioner interjected during the proceedings, suggesting that an independent accountant should also supervise the financial aspects of the investigation. SG Mehta responded affirmatively, indicating that he would include such a provision to enhance the credibility and transparency of the inquiry.
Senior Advocate Devdatt Kamat, representing the petitioner, argued that a significant amount of money has been donated for the temple's construction, yet there are concerns that it has not reached the Trust managing the funds. "Whatever the Trust received should be displayed on a website so that donors can verify their contributions," Kamat stated, highlighting the need for accountability in the handling of public donations.
The Chief Justice, responding to these submissions, remarked that the SIT will have access to all necessary resources to conduct a thorough investigation. This assurance is crucial, as it reflects the court's intent to facilitate a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations of misappropriation of funds.
The apex court clarified that it will ensure transparency in the case. "The aim is to conduct a high-quality investigation into the entire incident. The investigation must be impartial, swift, and time-bound. The primary focus is currently on the investigation into the theft of donations," the court emphasized. This statement reinforces the significance of maintaining public trust in the process, especially given the sensitive nature of the case involving religious sentiments.
The petitions filed in this matter have raised serious concerns about the lack of transparency in the collection and utilization of donations for the Ram temple. The petitioners are seeking an independent investigation into the accounts of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which has dismissed the allegations as "baseless and politically motivated," asserting that all donations are properly recorded and audited.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocates Narendra Kumar Goswami, Ajay Kumar Rai, and Dinesh Kumar Yadav seeks a court-monitored investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and other agencies into the alleged misappropriation of donation funds collected for the Ram Mandir. This request for a central agency's involvement underscores the gravity of the allegations and the petitioners' belief that a thorough investigation is essential to uphold public accountability.
The plea also highlighted the urgency of the case, emphasizing the need to preserve physical, electronic, digital, banking, and inventory records related to donations and offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, Ayodhya. The petitioners argued that it is crucial to ensure that records such as CCTV footage, digital payment logs, and bank records are not destroyed, altered, or tampered with during the investigation. They urged that the available CCTV/DVR/NVR footage and digital payment records should be forensically copied and hash-sealed to maintain their integrity.
The petitioners further asserted that preserving these records will not prejudice any respondent involved in the case. They stressed that doing so would not declare guilt nor interfere with any religious affairs, temple administration, worship, darshan, rituals, or puja-paddhati. Instead, it would merely preserve the subject matter essential for justice to be served.
In their arguments, the petitioners maintained that public faith in the temple's administration and the handling of donations is paramount. They stated, "A matter concerning donations and offerings made by millions of devotees cannot be treated as an ordinary private accounting dispute. It involves constitutional morality, public accountability, fiduciary responsibility, and the rule of law in the secular administration of sacred public offerings." This statement reflects the broader implications of the case, highlighting the intersection of religious sentiments and public accountability.
Goswami emphasized that the petition strictly pertains to secular aspects such as receipt, custody, counting, accounting, audit, digital trail, inventory control, CCTV preservation, QR/UPI verification, bank reconciliation, and public accountability of donations and offerings. He clarified that the petition does not seek to interfere with religious practices protected under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India, which guarantee the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications of the Supreme Court's intervention are significant. The court's insistence on transparency and accountability in matters involving public donations could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly those involving religious institutions. The outcome of this investigation may not only impact the management of funds for the Ram Temple but could also influence public trust in other religious and charitable organizations across the country.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court's active involvement in monitoring the investigation highlights the judiciary's role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served in matters that resonate deeply with public sentiment. As the SIT prepares to submit its interim report, all eyes will be on the findings and the subsequent actions taken to address the concerns raised by the petitioners.
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