Ayodhya Ram Mandir Donation Theft : Supreme Court Issues Notice To Union, UP & Temple Trust On Pleas Seeking CBI Probe

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Union and the Uttar Pradesh Governments on a bunch of petitions seeking an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the allegations of embezzlement of donations received for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.Notice has also been issued to the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is managing the temple. The Court directed the Special Investigation Team constituted by the UP Government to file a status report on the developments so far. The report should also mention the composition of the SIT.A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana dealt with the petitions. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, who entered appearance on behalf of the Centre and the State, said that the status report will be filed in a sealed cover.The bench turned down the request made by the SG to defer the issuance of notice to the temple trust. The counsel for one of the petitioners submitted that there was a need to preserve the CCTV visuals and other records. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners requested that a copy of the status report to be filed by the State be furnished to them as well. The Bench, however, did not accede to the request at this stage. CJI Surya Kant remarked, "We will see later. It's an ongoing investigation."One of the petitions was 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 was filed by Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, also petitioners-in-person, seeking similar direction for CBI probe. The petition seeks directions to the Union Government, the Uttar Pradesh Government and the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to take appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of devotees and donors.It states that irrespective of whether the allegations of missing funds and other irregularities are ultimately substantiated, the reports have caused widespread concern among those who contributed to or supported the Ram Mandir movement.The third petition was 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.A fourth petition has been filed by the Hindu Dharma Parishad, seeking a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the allegations pertaining to the Ram Mandir donations.During the partial court working days, the Supreme Court refused a plea for urgent listing of the petitions. Petitions seeking high-level probes were also filed before the Allahabad High Court, but it refused to...

Ayodhya Ram Mandir Donation Theft : Supreme Court Issues Notice To Union, UP & Temple Trust On Pleas Seeking CBI Probe

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Ayodhya Ram Mandir Donation Theft : Supreme Court Issues Notice To Union, UP & Temple Trust On Pleas Seeking CBI Probe

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