The Supreme Court on Monday directed the court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in Ram Mandir donation funds to complete the investigation expeditiously and take the matter to its logical conclusion.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in Ram Mandir donation funds to complete the investigation expeditiously and take the matter to its logical conclusion.
The Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana indicated that it may issue guidelines to improve transparency and accountability in the management of donations received at the Ayodhya temple.
The Apex Court made these observations while hearing a batch of petitions seeking an investigation into alleged misappropriation and irregularities related to donations collected for the construction and management of the Ram Mandir.
The Court directed the SIT to submit a status report on the progress of the investigation in a sealed cover within three weeks. The report will first be examined by the Supreme Court before any decision is taken on whether it should be shared with the parties involved in the proceedings.
The Supreme Court made it clear that the SIT, constituted under its directions, remains accountable to the court and must ensure that the investigation reaches a logical conclusion. The SIT includes police officials as well as a forensic auditor, following the court’s earlier directions to strengthen the investigation process and examine financial aspects linked to the allegations.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Bench that the forensic auditor had been included in the investigation team as required by the Supreme Court. The Bench, however, declined to order immediate disclosure of the SIT report, observing that the present proceedings are focused on ensuring a fair and effective investigation into the FIR registered in the matter.
The Bench directed that the SIT’s progress report should be submitted directly before the Supreme Court in a sealed cover. The Court will first scrutinise the findings and assess the progress of the investigation before deciding whether the contents need to be disclosed to the petitioners or other parties.
The direction aims to maintain a balance between transparency in a matter involving public donations and protecting the confidentiality required during an ongoing criminal investigation.
The Supreme Court also permitted petitioners and other bona fide public-spirited individuals to submit suggestions regarding aspects of the probe that may require further examination.
Such suggestions will be submitted through the office of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, which will forward them to the SIT for consideration. The Bench said the investigating team should objectively examine suggestions related to improving the quality, scope and transparency of the investigation.
During the hearing, the Apex Court indicated that apart from monitoring the SIT investigation, it is also considering issuing directions related to the transparent management and maintenance of donations received at the Ram Mandir. The Court observed that certain reforms may be required regarding how donation amounts are recorded, maintained and made accountable.
The remarks came after a submission was made seeking greater transparency, including disclosure of donation-related details by the trust managing the temple.
However, the Court did not issue any immediate direction on making donation records public and said the issue would be considered after examining the SIT’s report and the overall investigation process.
The proceedings before the Supreme Court relate to allegations of diversion, misappropriation and irregular handling of funds donated for the Ram Mandir project. The Apex Court has previously declined, at this stage, to transfer the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), choosing instead to monitor the SIT-led probe. The latest order reinforces the Supreme Court’s supervisory role over the investigation while allowing the SIT to continue its inquiry independently.
The Court is expected to examine the SIT status report after it is submitted and may issue further directions if any shortcomings are found in the investigation or if reforms are required for improving transparency in donation management. The SIT has been asked to proceed with the investigation promptly, with the next phase of the case depending on the findings submitted before the Supreme Court.
