The Supreme Court will hear on Monday (July 13) a batch of petitions seeking an independent investigation into the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft allegations.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana will hear three writ petitions filed in relation to the issue.

One of the petitions has been filed by Narendra Kumar Goswami, petitioner-in-person, seeking an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the matter. He also seeks an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of the finances of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Theerth Kshetra Trust, the trust which is managing the Ayodhya Ram temple.

The second petition is filed by Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, also petitioners-in-person, seeking similar direction for CBI probe.

The third petition is filed by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh who seeks a forensic audit of the entire finances of the temple trust in the light of the scam, in addition to CBI probe under the monitoring of the Supreme Court. The PIL requests directions to preserve all financial records, including physical documents, digital ledgers, UPI transaction logs and bank statements, to prevent any alleged tampering with evidence.

The petitioner has further sought an order restraining the Trust from undertaking major investments, entering into substantial contracts or taking significant financial decisions without the prior approval of the proposed Oversight Committee.

The plea also seeks a comprehensive forensic audit of all donations, transactions and assets of the Trust by an independent agency. It further requests that the Trust be directed to publish audited financial statements and donation records on its official website in the interest of public transparency.

The plea requests that, pending completion of the investigation, no major financial or administrative decision involving utilisation of Trust funds, award of substantial contracts, creation of third-party rights, alienation of Trust assets, investments or other significant financial commitments be undertaken except with the approval of the proposed Court-monitored Oversight Committee.

Additionally, the petition seeks a comprehensive forensic audit of the Trust's accounts, donations, offerings, bank transactions and financial records by an independent agency of unquestionable credibility, with the audit report to be placed before the Supreme Court.

The PIL also asks the Court to direct the Trust to maintain complete transparency by publishing audited financial statements, details of donations received, utilisation of funds and other financial information on its official website, while protecting confidential or sensitive donor information where necessary.

Further, the petitioner has sought a direction requiring the Trust to place before the Court a complete statement of all donations and contributions received since its constitution, including cash donations, bank transfers, digital payments, foreign contributions, donations in kind, gold, silver and other valuables, along with details regarding their accounting, custody and utilisation.

During the partial court working days, the Supreme Court had refused a plea for urgent listing of the petitions. Petitions are also pending in the Allahabad High Court seeking similar reliefs.

The Uttar Pradesh police have registered an FIR following an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team constituted by the State Government, and eight persons are in custody at present.

Cases : Narendra Kumar Goswami v. Union of India and others | WP(c) 790/2026; Ajay Kumar Rai and another v. Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Theerth Kshetra Trust | WP(Crl) 241/2026; Sudhakar Singh v. Union of India and others | WP (crl) 256/2026