The Supreme Court on Monday declined to grant an urgent hearing on a public interest litigation seeking a court-monitored, multi-agency investigation led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.
The petition sought transfer of the investigation to the CBI and requested that a multi-agency probe be conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Court. However, a Bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice Shail Nagu declined to take up the matter for immediate hearing.
The Court observed that no extraordinary situation would arise if the matter is heard after the summer vacation when regular court proceedings resume. It clarified that the petition would be listed before the regular Bench during the second week of July (12–17 July).
The public interest litigation alleges concerns regarding the security of donations and offerings collected at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple premises and questions the existing investigation process. The petitioners submitted that confidence in the present investigation mechanism has been undermined and sought an impartial investigation involving the CBI and other agencies.
The petition also claims that there is a lack of transparency in the investigation process and in the preservation of material evidence, necessitating an independent probe.
The investigation is presently being conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Police. During the course of the investigation, statements of several persons associated with the trust have been recorded. The statement of the trust's General Secretary, Champat Rai, has also been recorded, while questioning of other trust office-bearers is stated to be under consideration.
Earlier, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust stated that it would fully cooperate with any fair investigation into the allegations.
Amid the proceedings, reports of recent resignations within the trust have also drawn attention. Following allegations against certain trust members, the possibility of organisational restructuring has been reported. However, the trust has maintained that complete records of all donations and offerings have been preserved and that no irregularity has occurred.
The trust has further stated that all items offered to Lord Ram, including silver bricks, jewellery and other valuable articles, are secure and that complete records of such offerings are being maintained.
