Ayodhya Donation Theft : Nirmohi Akhara Moves Supreme Court Seeking To Restructure Ram Janmabhoomi Trust As Public Trust

The Nirmohi Akhara has moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to restructure the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, contending that the Trust, as presently constituted, is inconsistent with the spirit of the Supreme Court's 2019 Ayodhya judgment and lacks adequate accountability.The miscellaneous application has been filed in the disposed Ayodhya title dispute proceedings, seeking implementation of the directions issued by the Constitution Bench in its November 9, 2019 judgment. The Akhara contends that while the judgment envisaged an “appropriate role” for it in the management of the temple, the scheme framed by the Central Government has effectively excluded it from both the governance of the Trust and the conduct of religious affairs.The application has been filed by Shri Panch Ramanandi Nirmohi Akhara through its Sarpanch, Mahant and Sarvakar, Mahant Raja Ramchandracharya Ateet Guru Raghunath Das, who claims to have been appointed and recognised by a resolution dated July 5, 2026. The application states that the Akhara is a Panchayati Mutt whose decisions are taken through a democratic process by its Panchayat, and asserts that it was one of the principal parties in the Ayodhya title dispute.Restructure it as a public trustAccording to the application, the Trust has been functioning as a “private trust” without any effective statutory oversight, contrary to the intent of the Supreme Court's judgment. It seeks reconstitution of the Trust as a public trust with an independent supervisory mechanism to ensure transparency and accountability in its functioning. The Akhara has urged the Court to direct the Central Government to suitably revise the Trust deed and reconstitute the Board of Trustees by including a supervisory board comprising members of the Ramanandi Bairagi Sampradaya. It has also sought a direction that trustees be selected from among persons of “high integrity” having historical, legal or religious connections with Shri Ram Janmabhoomi or the Ramanandi traditions. The application further seeks restoration of what it describes as Nirmohi Akhara's traditional role in conducting and supervising rituals, sewa, bhog, puja and other religious ceremonies at the Ram Temple in accordance with long-standing Ramanandi customs. It argues that the Trust has ignored the historical religious practices followed at the site and has deprived the Akhara of the representative role contemplated by the 2019 judgment.Cash embezzelemnt allegations show need to restructure the trustReferring to recent allegations regarding theft of devotees' offerings and financial irregularities, the Akhara contends that the functioning of the Trust has exposed a serious lack of accountability. It has sought appointment of an independent committee to examine whether the Centre has faithfully implemented the 2019 judgment and has also prayed for a forensic audit of the Trust's financial and property-related transactions.It also notes that amid the escalating controversy, the Trust's General Secretary, Champat Rai, and Trustee Anil Mishra tendered their resignations, which were accepted by the Trust on July 6, 2026. The Trust has since appointed an interim General Secretary while acknowledging that the matter requires investigation and that those responsible should be brought to justice."The composition and functioning of the Trust, unaccountable to, and without any meaningful oversight of anyone,has resulted in a serious failure of custodial responsibility over a public religious endowment," the application states, adding that these events "starkly illustrate" the deficiencies in the existing structure.The Nirmohi Akhara contends that the present Trust is effectively a private trust operating without oversight from the "Statute" or the "Seers of the Ramanandi Bairagi Sect", who, according to the application, were historically associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. It argues that the concentration of authority in the hands of a few trustees has aggravated the problem and contributed to the recent developments.Restore original deities In another significant prayer, the Akhara seeks restoration of the original deities of Shri Ram Lalla Virajman, which it claims were attached on January 5, 1950 and February 16, 1982, to the sanctum sanctorum, contending that the Trust had no authority in law to substitute or replace the original idols. Alternatively, it seeks restoration of the original deities to the Akhara for their proper care.The application also seeks appointment of an independent committee to examine whether the directions contained in the Supreme Court's November 9, 2019 judgment have been faithfully implemented by the Trust. It has further prayed for appointment of a forensic auditor to conduct a forensic audit of all financial and property-related transactions undertaken by the existing Board of Trustees. The Nirmohi Akhara is a centuries-old religious denomination...

Ayodhya Donation Theft : Nirmohi Akhara Moves Supreme Court Seeking To Restructure Ram Janmabhoomi Trust As Public Trust

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The Akhara alleged that it has been denied due representation in the Trust and sought an appropriate oversight mechanism to ensure that the trust functioned in a transparent manner.

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Ayodhya Donation Theft : Nirmohi Akhara Moves Supreme Court Seeking To Restructure Ram Janmabhoomi Trust As Public Trust

LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK

The Akhara alleged that it has been denied due representation in the Trust and sought an appropriate oversight mechanism to ensure that the trust functioned in a transparent manner.

This is a premium content Available exclusively to Our subscribers

INR 1099+GST

Tags

LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK

This is a premium content
Available exclusively to
Our subscribers