Supreme Court: Ram Temple Donation Embezzlement Case Not to Be Politicised, SIT Probe Underway

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday said the alleged Ram temple donation embezzlement case should not be politicised, observing that it was 'a simple case of commission of crime' and that the court's role was only to ensure a proper investigation into the matter. The apex court made the remarks while hearing petitions seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, including demands for a CBI investigation, a forensic audit and an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's accounts. The bench was headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana. During the hearing, the bench said, "It is a simple case of commission of crime. We are only here to ensure a proper investigation. Courts are not a place for politics." The court also asked the parties not to politicise the issue. The Supreme Court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to take instructions on whether a Special Investigation Team (SIT) could be set up to probe the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple. Responding to the court, the solicitor general said an SIT had already been constituted and that the Uttar Pradesh Police was investigating the case. The matter has been posted for further hearing on July 27, when the Uttar Pradesh government will apprise the court about the progress of the SIT probe. The investigation gathered pace after the SIT submitted an interim report that led to the registration of an FIR, the arrest of eight accused and the recovery of nearly Rs 80 lakh allegedly siphoned off from temple donations. The probe also triggered the resignations of former Trust general secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra. According to sources, the SIT has sought additional time to examine financial records, administrative procedures and the alleged irregularities before submitting its final report. The report is also expected to recommend reforms in the temple's donation collection, counting and administrative systems. The petitions before the Supreme Court seek a court-monitored CBI investigation, a forensic audit and a CAG audit of the Trust's finances, while questioning the adequacy of the ongoing state probe. The Trust is scheduled to meet in Ayodhya on July 22 to discuss the SIT's findings and consider corrective measures based on its recommendations.