New Delhi, November 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Monday disposed of petitions seeking a court-monitored probe into alleged theft and financial irregularities involving donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya after the Uttar Pradesh government informed it that a charge sheet had been filed.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, directed the concerned Judicial Magistrate to proceed according to law. It allowed the petitioners to assist the trial court, while clarifying that it had expressed no opinion on the merits of the allegations.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the investigation had found thefts taking place during the counting of donations and offerings. He said the bank accounts and past transactions of the accused employees had been examined, with some allegedly investing in properties.
The petitions, filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami, Ajay Kumar Rai, RJD MP Sudhakar Singh and Hindu Dharma Parishad, had sought a transparent investigation, preservation of donation records and a forensic audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s finances.
An earlier SIT investigation reportedly identified 105 incidents of donation theft through CCTV footage and other evidence. The Supreme Court had directed the Uttar Pradesh government to reconstitute the SIT, headed by IG Kiran S., with DIG Somen Verma and Ayodhya SSP Dr Gaurav Grover as members. A forensic auditor was also to be associated with the probe.
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