NEW DELHI—A Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government has submitted a sealed status report to the Supreme Court on its investigation into the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as the top court continued hearing petitions seeking a broader probe into the case.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan, considered the report on Monday after previously directing the SIT to place its findings before the court in a sealed cover. The court is hearing multiple petitions that seek, among other relief, a court-monitored investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a forensic audit of the temple trust's finances, and scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
During the proceedings, the Supreme Court said the matter should be treated as a criminal investigation rather than a political controversy, stressing that any alleged offence must be investigated through due legal process. The bench indicated that the ongoing investigation should proceed under appropriate supervision while avoiding attempts to politicise the proceedings.
The petitions were filed following allegations that cash offerings made by devotees to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust were misappropriated. Petitioners have questioned the adequacy of the current investigation and sought independent oversight of the trust's financial management. The trust, the Union government and the Uttar Pradesh government have been asked to respond in the matter.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had earlier informed the court that the SIT's report would be submitted in a sealed cover. The Supreme Court nevertheless issued notice to the temple trust while directing the SIT to provide details of the progress of its investigation.
The three-member SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government in June after allegations of financial irregularities surfaced. Earlier official actions following the probe included the registration of criminal cases, arrests of several suspects and the recovery of cash allegedly linked to the investigation. Authorities have said the inquiry remains ongoing.
The Supreme Court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to seek appropriate orders regarding the composition of the SIT and scheduled the matter for further hearing on July 27, when it is expected to review the investigation's progress and consider the pending petitions.
