NEW DELHI—The Supreme Court on Monday heard a status report submitted by the Uttar Pradesh government's Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the alleged theft and misappropriation of offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, directing the state to seek orders for restructuring the investigation team while stressing that the matter should be treated as a criminal investigation rather than a political controversy.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant reviewed the SIT's report, which was filed in a sealed cover, during proceedings on petitions seeking an independent investigation, including a court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the alleged irregularities involving donations made at the temple.
According to reports from the hearing, the court said its primary concern was ensuring a fair and effective investigation into the allegations and observed that the case should not be politicized. The bench asked the Uttar Pradesh government to obtain appropriate orders for reconstituting the SIT and fixed July 27 as the next date of hearing.
The case stems from allegations that cash and valuables offered by devotees at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple were stolen or misappropriated. The allegations remain under investigation, and the Supreme Court has not made any finding on their merits.
At an earlier hearing on July 13, the apex court directed the SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a status report detailing the progress of its investigation. It also issued notices to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, while asking the state to disclose the composition of the investigation team.
The petitions before the court seek a fair and time-bound probe into the alleged financial irregularities and have requested an independent investigation. The Uttar Pradesh government has maintained an SIT is already investigating the matter.
Ahead of Monday's hearing, the SIT submitted its status report to the Supreme Court after completing a review of the investigation's progress, according to court-related reports.
The Supreme Court did not issue any finding on the allegations during Monday's proceedings. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on July 27, when the court is expected to consider further developments relating to the investigation and the proposed restructuring of the SIT.
