‘Do NOT play politics’: SC says SIT revamp in Ram Temple donation investigation, hearing on July 27

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to consider allowing the existing three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to supervise the ongoing probe into alleged embezzlement of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said the matter should be treated as a criminal investigation and taken to its logical conclusion through a fair and impartial process.

“Don’t play politics. Don’t politicise the issue,” the bench said while hearing petitions seeking an independent investigation into alleged financial irregularities related to temple donations.

Court asks UP government to review SIT structure

The Supreme Court asked the Uttar Pradesh government to seek instructions on reconstituting the SIT and indicated that the probe could be headed by a senior IPS officer experienced in handling similar investigations.

The court suggested that officials who conducted the initial inquiry should continue supervising the investigation. The SIT currently includes Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan.

The matter will be heard again on July 27 after the state government provides further details.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre, informed the court that the investigation was progressing and eight people had been arrested.

The SIT was formed on June 13 following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. After submitting its preliminary report on June 23, the Ayodhya police registered an FIR against eight people accused of allegedly diverting temple donations during the counting process.

Authorities said nearly Rs 80 lakh allegedly diverted from temple offerings had been recovered.

Supreme Court stresses transparency in donation records

During the hearing, the court also discussed the need for better transparency in maintaining records of donations received by the temple trust.

A lawyer appearing for RJD MP Sudhakar Singh suggested that donation records and receipts should be made available so devotees could verify whether their contributions reached the temple accounts.

The court agreed that proper records should be maintained but said practical challenges would need to be considered while implementing such measures.

The solicitor general informed the court that records and inventories of valuables, including gold and silver donations, were already being maintained.

Case follows allegations of donation misuse

The controversy emerged after allegations that donations worth several crores were allegedly diverted before being deposited into the temple’s official accounts.

Following the allegations, former trust general secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra resigned on June 6. The trust later announced a three-member panel to select a new chief executive officer.

The Supreme Court is expected to review the investigation status and decide further directions after receiving updates from the Uttar Pradesh government.