A public interest litigation seeking a CBI probe into alleged embezzlement and financial irregularities involving Ram Mandir donations in Ayodhya was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday, but the bench declined to hear it on an urgent basis. The court made clear that the case would go through normal scheduling, and directed that it be listed for consideration in the week of July 12-17, once the court resumes after its summer recess.
The Court's Sharp Remarks During the Hearing
When the petition came up before the bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Sheel Nagu, the judges reacted with noticeable displeasure toward the demand for an immediate hearing. The bench posed a direct question to the petitioners: what exactly is the urgency here? It went further, asking whether the sky would collapse if the hearing were deferred until after the summer vacation. The court's position was firm. It said that once regular court functioning resumes after the break, the matter will be heard in an orderly manner following established procedure. The bench rejected the request for urgent listing outright.
Who Filed the PIL and What They Demanded
The public interest litigation was filed by two lawyers. The petition alleged that funds donated to the Ram Mandir had been misappropriated and demanded a CBI investigation conducted under judicial oversight. During the short hearing, the petitioners made a pointed argument for why the CBI must be brought in: the investigation currently being conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Police, they said, cannot be relied upon. The reason they cited was that important evidence in the case is not being properly secured and preserved, which they argued puts the integrity of the investigation at risk.
State of the Police Investigation
The petition was filed while an active police investigation into the alleged donation theft is already ongoing. In total, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case thus far. Police have already recorded the statement of Champat Rai, who served as the former General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Investigators have indicated that the statements of trustee Anil Mishra, along with those of other senior officials of the Trust, can also be recorded if the investigation requires it. Notably, Champat Rai had resigned from his position in the Trust amid this unfolding controversy.
How the Donation Theft Controversy Began
The entire episode came to light when allegations surfaced that cash was being stolen from the donation boxes installed inside the Ram Mandir. These boxes receive offerings from large numbers of devotees who visit the temple every day. Following a formal complaint, investigators examined CCTV footage recorded inside the temple premises. The recordings proved revealing, laying out the entire picture of how the theft had been carried out. On the strength of this evidence, the Trust lodged a first information report with the police. Based on the FIR, several employees whose job was to count and tally the offerings at the temple were taken into custody, subjected to questioning, and subsequently placed under formal arrest.
