The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to list on June 29 a petition seeking a court-monitored investigation into the collection and utilization of donations for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The matter was mentioned for urgent hearing before a bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi.
Petitioner Alleges Financial Irregularities
The petitioner, a social activist, has alleged large-scale financial irregularities in the collection of funds for the temple trust. The plea contends that despite massive public contributions, there is a lack of transparency in how the money has been spent. The petitioner has sought a direction from the apex court to ensure a fair and impartial probe by an independent agency.
According to the petition, the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is overseeing the temple construction, has not provided a complete account of donations received from devotees across the country and abroad. The petitioner claims that the trust has collected over ₹3,000 crore, but only a fraction has been disclosed in public statements.
Trust Denies Allegations
The trust, however, has denied any wrongdoing, stating that all collections are properly accounted for and audited. In a statement, a trust spokesperson said, “Every rupee donated is utilized for the temple construction and related activities. We have full faith in the judiciary and will cooperate with any inquiry.”
The Supreme Court had earlier refused to entertain a similar plea, but the petitioner has now approached the court with fresh evidence. The bench noted the urgency and scheduled the hearing for next week.
Legal and Political Implications
The case has significant political overtones, as the Ram temple is a flagship project of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Opposition parties have seized on the allegations to question the government’s commitment to transparency. The hearing on June 29 is expected to draw intense public and media attention.
Legal experts say that if the court orders a probe, it could set a precedent for oversight of religious trusts handling large public funds. The Supreme Court has in the past intervened in matters of temple administration, but this is the first time the financial aspects of the Ram temple construction are being scrutinized.
