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Considering the filing of chargesheet, the Supreme Court today disposed of pleas seeking CBI probe into the allegations of donation theft at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir. 

"State of UP has filed a status report, according to which, the chargesheet has now been filed in the matter. Keeping this in view, we dispose of this writ petition and other connected matters with a direction to the ld. Judicial Magistrate to proceed in the matter in accordance with law. Since there is an element of public interest involved, liberty is granted to the writ petitioners to assist the ld. Magistrate on the same premise as the law enables a victim of crime to assist the court. It is however clarified, in order to ensure that no prejudice is caused, that this court has not expressed any opinion on merits", the order stated. 

A bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana closed the cases, while giving liberty to the petitioners to assist the concerned Judicial Magistrate in the same capacity as law enables a victim of a crime. 

The Court clarified that it has not expressed anything on the merit/allegations of the cases. Notably, the audio-video of the proceedings remained switched off for a significant part of the hearing (as some of the petitioners appeared in person). 

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed that theft was broadly found to have taken place at the counting stage. "Individuals who were counting have taken the money", he said. 

The SG further stated that the accused individuals were found to have taken the money and invested elsewhere (for example, in property). In some cases, bank deposits were made, which the authorities discovered going back-date and investigating the employees' bank accounts.

"We have the figure", said the SG. Qua property transactions, an example was given saying that while sale deed showed an amount of Rs. 15 lakhs, the property would actually be worth 50 lakhs. The remaining amount was paid in cash, which came from the misappropriation. 

The SG added that there was an audit conducted as well and all artefacts/chadhavas were found intact. When the CJI expressed concern for future, the SG assured that certain measures have been taken. 

The CJI then said that the bench would direct the concerned court to proceed and allow petitioners to assist. "We will now direct the Court to proceed in the matter. And we will grant you people also liberty wherever necessary, to continue to assist the court...it's not simpliciter case of an accused versus state. It's a case where some element of public interest is also involved. Therefore, we will grant you, as the law permits victims of a crime, to assist the court." 

To recap, the petitions sought an independent and court-monitored investigation into the alleged irregularities in the handling of donations and offerings received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. They also sought a comprehensive audit of the Trust's finances.

On September 21, the Uttar Pradesh Government informed the Court that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the allegations had substantially completed its investigation. SG Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State, informed the Bench that the SIT had submitted its status report and that the chargesheet would be filed within two days, before the expiry of the 90-day period for the accused to claim default bail.

As per the report, the SIT found 105 instances of unauthorized removal or concealment of currency from the donation-counting room situated in the Pilgrim Facilitation Centre (PFC) building within the temple premises. The SIT also identified eight accused persons and examined their bank accounts, financial transactions and movable and immovable assets allegedly acquired using the misappropriated money.

The chargesheet was filed against all 8 accused before a court in Ayodhya on September 23. 

Background

The Supreme Court had issued notice on the petitions to Union Government, Uttar Pradesh Government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The petitioners included advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami, Ajay Kumar Rai, RJD MP Sudhakar Singh and the Hindu Dharma Parishad.

On July 27, the Court took note of the constitution of an SIT and directed that a forensic auditor be associated with the investigation.

In its September 21 order, the Court permitted the petitioners and other public-spirited persons to submit suggestions concerning the investigation for consideration by the competent trial court.

Case: Narendra Kumar Goswami v. Union of India & Ors., W.P.(C) 790/2026 (and connected cases) 

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