Source The Hindu
NEW DELHI — The Supreme Court of India on Thursday declined to grant an immediate emergency hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored, independent investigation into the alleged financial irregularities and embezzlement of donations at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple.
A vacation bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi instructed the petitioners to formally mention the matter again on Monday, June 29, for its listing.
The Demands of the Petition
The petition, jointly moved by practicing advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, urges the Apex Court to direct the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and launch a time-bound criminal investigation.
The plea specifically seeks:
CBI-Led Probe: The constitution of a multi-disciplinary Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Record Preservation: Immediate court directions to safeguard all physical and digital financial footprints, including donation registers, bank accounts, audit reports, and CCTV footage.
Oversight Mechanism: Structural instructions to the Central Government, the Uttar Pradesh state government, and the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to institute strict regulatory and supervisory systems to retain the trust of millions of global devotees.
When one of the petitioners pressed the bench for an urgent hearing date, asserting that the petition was fully cleared by the registry with no deficiencies, the bench noted that it would be appropriately processed.
“Please approach the registry. If the deficiency is removed, it will be listed. You mention it on Monday (June 29),” the bench observed.
Escalating Political and Social Pressure
The Supreme Court’s intervention comes at a highly turbulent time as political outfits and religious bodies intensify pressure regarding the financial management of the trust.
The controversy ignited earlier this month following allegations of a substantial financial gap involving missing funds worth ₹7 crore to ₹7.5 crore. The state-appointed SIT, which recently submitted a confidential 150-page preliminary report to the UP Home Department, reportedly flagged serious administrative loopholes and recommended filing FIRs against upwards of 20 individuals.
Key StakeholderStance & Recent Statements
The PetitionersArgue that administrative panels lack criminal investigative credentials; an independent, federal agency is vital to restore public confidence.
Arvind Kejriwal (AAP)Termed the current state SIT “an eyewash” meant to shield influential figures, pointing out that an SIT cannot legally function without an FIR.
Alok Kumar (VHP)Asserted that leaked findings from the initial report present “enough grounds to file an FIR” immediately, demanding a day-to-day fast-track trial to be wrapped up in four months.
Yogi Adityanath (UP CM)Maintained a reassuring posture, urging citizens not to be misled by political narratives and stating: “We waited 500 years [for the temple]; now wait another 15 days.”
