RJD MP Files PIL Seeking CBI Investigation into Ram Temple Donations
RJD MP from Buxar, Sudhakar Singh, has moved the Supreme Court seeking the transfer of the ongoing probe into the finances of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under the court's direct supervision. The petition follows allegations of misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Singh's Public Interest Litigation (PIL) cites an ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and the reported recovery of Rs. 77 lakh from eight accused arrested in the case. He argues that the matter is of exceptional public importance to safeguard the administration of the Trust and protect the offerings made by millions of devotees.
PIL Demands Forensic Audit and Transparency
Singh clarified that he does not seek any interference with religious practices or temple rituals, but insists that judicial intervention is needed to ensure transparency and accountability in the Trust's secular financial administration. The PIL demands a comprehensive forensic audit of all donations, transactions, and assets of the Trust by an independent agency.
Additionally, the petition calls for the Trust to publish audited financial statements and donation records on its official website in the interest of public transparency. It also seeks directions to preserve all financial records, including physical documents, digital ledgers, UPI transaction logs, and bank statements, to prevent any alleged tampering with evidence.
Oversight Committee Proposed
The PIL requests an order restraining the Trust from undertaking major investments, entering into substantial contracts, or taking significant financial decisions without the prior approval of a proposed Oversight Committee. Singh wants the Supreme Court to appoint a temporary, court-monitored Oversight Committee comprising retired judicial officers and financial experts to oversee the Trust's secular financial affairs during the pendency of the investigation.
Background of the Case
This is the second PIL filed in the Supreme Court on the issue. The controversy reached the court on June 22 when advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav filed a petition seeking registration of an FIR and a fair, time-bound probe by a CBI-led multi-disciplinary SIT. They sought investigation into alleged financial irregularities and other purported illegalities concerning the affairs and administration of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
However, the Supreme Court on June 29 refused to urgently take up their petition, saying, “Heavens are not going to fall if the petition is heard after the court resumes regular functioning after the summer break.”
SIT Probe and Arrests
On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh Government set up a three-member SIT at the request of the temple trust to look into allegations of financial irregularities and misappropriation of donations. The SIT comprises Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S, and Finance Department Special Secretary Neel Ratan. It submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh Government on June 23, following which an FIR was registered and eight accused were arrested.
The arrested accused — Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ram Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramashankar alias Tinnu Yadav — were associated with counting cash and valuables received as donations at the Ram Temple.
