The Supreme Court on Monday declined to urgently hear a petition seeking an independent investigation into allegations of misappropriation of donations made to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The petition, filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, sought a court-monitored probe into allegations that donations made to the temple had been embezzled.
A Bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu questioned the urgency of the matter and said the plea would be taken up after the court's summer vacation. "Heavens are not going to fall... What is the urgency?" the Bench reportedly observed while refusing an immediate hearing.
When the court questioned the need for urgent intervention, the petitioners argued that the manner in which the authorities were handling the matter had raised concerns. "The way the State is dealing with the matter... casts doubts," the petitioners submitted.
The plea comes amid controversy surrounding allegations of theft of temple donations, the arrest of eight people in connection with the case, and the resignation of two members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, including its General Secretary, Champat Rai.
According to the petition, reports of alleged financial irregularities have deeply affected devotees and those associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. "Whether or not the reports regarding missing funds and other alleged irregularities concerning the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust are ultimately found to be true, such reports have caused deep concern among the generations that struggled for the restoration of the glory of Ayodhya," the plea stated.
The petition also questioned the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) before the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). Seeking an independent verification of the allegations, the petitioners argued that a fair inquiry was necessary to ascertain the truth behind the reported theft of donations. The matter will now be listed for hearing after the Supreme Court resumes following its summer break.
