The Supreme Court today disposed of petitions seeking a CBI probe into the Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case and a review of the Ram Mandir Trust’s functioning. The court also allowed the petitioner to assist the court in the matter.
“Keeping this in view (chargesheet being filed), we dispose of the writ petition and connected matters with the directions to the judicial magistrate in accordance with the law. Since there is an element of public interest involved, liberty is granted to petitioners to assist the court of the judicial magistrate as the law enables victims of the crime to assist the court,” CJI Surya Kant said while passing the order.
The court also clarified that it has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case.
Appearing for the state of Uttar Pradesh, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to investigate the Ram Mandir donation theft has filed its chargesheet. He also informed that it has conducted an investigation and audit of artefacts and donations received by the temple.
In response to CJI Surya Kant’s question, SG Mehta submitted that measures were being taken to ensure such instances do not take place in future.
“Directions de diye civil court mein dava daalne ke liye. Ye apka adhikaar hai, iska sadupayog kijiye, durupayog mat karna,” CJI Surya Kant said to the petitioner, asking him to use his right to move courts for good.
The audio and video of the CJI-led bench livestreamed proceedings were also stopped mid-hearing.
To recall, the petitions pertain to alleged misappropriation of donation money received by Ram Temple, Ayodhya.
After the Ram Mandir Donation embezzlement issue gained momentum in June, the UP government registered an FIR against eight accused persons. It also constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team to probe the allegations.
When the issue reached the Supreme Court, it issued notices to the Centre, the UP government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust responsible for managing donations. The top court also took note of the SIT and issued a direction to include a forensic auditor in the investigation on July 27.
On September 21, the UP government informed the court that the SIT had submitted its status report, and it would file the chargesheet soon. The SIT found at least 105 instances of removing currency from the donation and identified eight accused persons involved in embezzling donations.
