Supreme Court Directs Petitioner to Seek Listing on Monday
The Supreme Court on Thursday, June 25, 2026, directed a petitioner to approach the court on Monday, June 29, for the listing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that seeks the registration of an FIR and a time-bound investigation into the alleged embezzlement of funds at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The probe, as demanded, should be conducted by a CBI-led multi-disciplinary Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The petitioners, advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, have also requested the court to direct the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to establish regulatory, supervisory, and audit mechanisms to safeguard public interest and maintain the confidence of millions of devotees and donors.
Petitioner Mentions Matter Before Bench
On Thursday, one of the petitioners mentioned the matter before a bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, requesting an early hearing. The petitioner informed the bench that the PIL had been registered but no hearing date had been assigned. The bench responded that if there were no deficiencies, the court’s registry would process it. When the petitioner confirmed registration and no deficiencies, and requested listing on June 29, the bench said, “You mention it on Monday.”
Background of the Controversy
The controversy over alleged fund embezzlement at the Ayodhya Ram Temple reached the Supreme Court on June 22, when two advocates filed the petition. They demanded an FIR and a fair probe by a CBI-led multi-disciplinary SIT into alleged financial irregularities and other purported illegalities concerning the affairs and administration of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government had already set up a three-member SIT at the request of the temple trust to investigate 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 began its inquiry without an FIR or formal criminal case, with a mandate to submit a preliminary report in seven days and a final report in 15 days. The SIT submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government on June 23.
Petitioners’ Submissions
The petitioners argued that regardless of whether the reports of missing funds and irregularities are ultimately true, they have caused deep concern among generations who struggled for the restoration of Ayodhya’s glory. They emphasized that the reports should be independently verified through a professional investigation by a single agency with expertise, resources, and institutional framework for complex financial and criminal probes. Such an inquiry, they said, would inspire greater public confidence than a preliminary probe by administrative officers who may lack specialized credentials in criminal investigation.
The petitioners further submitted that the issues extend beyond possible cognizable offences and directly impact the faith, sentiments, and trust of countless devotees and the public. They sought the Supreme Court’s intervention to maintain public confidence in the administration and management of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
