The Supreme Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government's Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit a status report on its probe into alleged embezzlement and diversion of donations for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, while simultaneously agreeing to examine petitions seeking a court-monitored CBI investigation into these financial irregularities. A bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, issued notices to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, demanding details on the SIT's progress and team composition. Petitioners argue that the complex financial nature of the allegations necessitates a central agency with specialized expertise, citing a precedent where a state SIT was replaced by a CBI-led investigation, and have also requested interim directions for the preservation of all financial and electronic records related to the Trust's finances. The court has not yet ruled on the merits of the allegations but will review the SIT's report and responses from the authorities before deciding on further judicial intervention.

The Supreme Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government's Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit a status report on its probe into alleged embezzlement and diversion of donations for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, while simultaneously agreeing to examine petitions seeking a court-monitored CBI investigation into these financial irregularities. A bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, issued notices to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, demanding details on the SIT's progress and team composition. Petitioners argue that the complex financial nature of the allegations necessitates a central agency with specialized expertise, citing a precedent where a state SIT was replaced by a CBI-led investigation, and have also requested interim directions for the preservation of all financial and electronic records related to the Trust's finances. The court has not yet ruled on the merits of the allegations but will review the SIT's report and responses from the authorities before deciding on further judicial intervention.

The Supreme Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government's Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit a status report on its probe into alleged embezzlement and diversion of donations for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, while simultaneously agreeing to examine petitions seeking a court-monitored CBI investigation into these financial irregularities. A bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, issued notices to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, demanding details on the SIT's progress and team composition. Petitioners argue that the complex financial nature of the allegations necessitates a central agency with specialized expertise, citing a precedent where a state SIT was replaced by a CBI-led investigation, and have also requested interim directions for the preservation of all financial and electronic records related to the Trust's finances. The court has not yet ruled on the merits of the allegations but will review the SIT's report and responses from the authorities before deciding on further judicial intervention.

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a status report from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe allegations of  embezzlement and diversion of donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, while  agreeing to examine pleas seeking a court-monitored CBI investigation into the alleged financial irregularities.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notices to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The court directed the State-appointed SIT to file a report detailing the progress of its investigation as well as the composition of the probe team before the next hearing on Monday, July 20.

“Issue notice. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta accepts notice. Issue notice to Teerth Kshetra Trust. Let a status report be filed. We direct the SIT constituted by the State of Uttar Pradesh to submit a status report before this Court. The SIT shall also have a member composition,” the bench ordered.

The Bench was hearing a batch of public interest petitions that seek transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), contending that the allegations involve large-scale diversion and misappropriation of public donations collected for one of the country's most significant religious projects.

One of the petitions, filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, argues that the allegations warrant registration of a regular criminal case and an independent, time-bound investigation by a central agency. The petition names the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the Union government and the Uttar Pradesh government as respondents.

According to the plea, while the State has already constituted an SIT, the agency lacks the specialised forensic and financial expertise necessary to investigate a complex case involving substantial financial transactions. It further alleges that the SIT began its inquiry without registration of a First Information Report (FIR), raising concerns about the legal sustainability of any findings that may emerge from the investigation.

The petitioners have relied on the Supreme Court's October 2024 order in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam adulterated ghee case, where the court had replaced a State SIT with an independent multidisciplinary SIT headed by the CBI. Citing that precedent, they argued that allegations involving public faith and substantial financial transactions require an independent probe insulated from any perception of bias.

The plea also seeks interim directions to preserve all records connected with the Trust's finances, including donation registers, ledgers, bank records, CCTV footage, electronic databases and other digital evidence, to ensure that no material is lost during the investigation.

A separate petition filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh filed through advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, similarly seeks transfer of the investigation to the CBI under the supervision of the Supreme Court. Besides seeking a court-monitored probe, Singh has requested the constitution of a temporary oversight committee comprising retired judicial officers, financial experts and persons of impeccable integrity to oversee the Trust's secular financial and administrative affairs during the pendency of the investigation.

The petition also seeks directions for preservation of all financial and electronic records, including account books, bank statements, UPI transaction logs, emails, servers and CCTV footage. It further urges the court to direct the Trust to place audited financial statements, donation details and expenditure records in the public domain at regular intervals while protecting the identities of individual donors.

During the hearing, counsel appearing for one of the petitioners urged the Bench to ensure that electronic evidence was secured at the earliest.

“After a battle of 123 years, another battle has started. SIT is formed. The evidence, etc., which is electronic in nature needs to be preserved,” counsel submitted.

Chief Justice Surya Kant responded with a brief but pointed remark, “Please preserve your energy. It will be needed outside.”

The court nevertheless proceeded to issue notices and called for the SIT's report, indicating that it would first examine the progress of the ongoing State investigation before considering the petitioners' demand for transfer of the probe to the CBI.

The Supreme Court has not expressed any view on the merits of the allegations. Monday's order is confined to seeking information on the ongoing investigation and obtaining responses from the concerned authorities before deciding whether further judicial intervention, including a court-monitored CBI investigation, is warranted.

The case will now be heard after the SIT files its status report and the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust place their responses before the court.

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