Law & Justice

Supreme Court Approves Trial of Eight Accused in Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft

By Dhananjay Mahapatra

The Supreme Court has sanctioned a trial for eight individuals accused of siphoning approximately Rs 2.7 crore from donations made to the Ayodhya Ram temple. The chargesheet, filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), was based on extensive financial and forensic examinations that covered cash deposits, bank transactions, property purchases, construction costs, vehicle and jewellery acquisitions, and other related expenditures. The SIT’s status report confirmed the alleged embezzlement amount. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta explained to the court how the investigation involved scrutinizing bank accounts, property acquisitions, and CCTV footage, leading to the chargesheet dated 23 September. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana directed the trial court to proceed in accordance with the law. Petitioners who had requested an independent probe were granted the status of victims of crime and allowed to assist the prosecutor and trial court. One petitioner also asked the court to order an independent survey of the land allotted for the temple in the Supreme Court’s 9 November 2019 judgment, and to direct revenue and statutory authorities to provide relevant records for comparison with the site plan. The bench noted that while a virtual reopening of the judgment by a five‑judge bench is impermissible, any grievance regarding land demarcation should be pursued through a civil suit in the appropriate court.