Supreme Court to Hear Petitions on Ram Temple Embezzlement

The Supreme Court of India will hear petitions on July 13 seeking an independent probe, forensic audit, and Comptroller and Auditor General audit into alleged financial irregularities within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant will consider requests for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation and the preservation of CCTV evidence to prevent tampering.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) identified systematic theft in the temple's counting room, with footage from April to June showing staff concealing cash in clothing and shoes. While Ayodhya police have arrested eight individuals—including Anukalp Mishra—Trust member Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj has dismissed concerns, expressing faith in the administration's ability to punish the thieves.

The scandal has triggered a political conflict. The Indian National Congress and Samajwadi Party have demanded accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Congress spokespersons alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh engaged in political plunder of devotee offerings. Senior leader Pawan Bansal further called for the abolition of the Trust.

Separately, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien challenged the selectivity of central agencies after the Enforcement Directorate froze three TMC bank accounts containing ₹440 crore on July 8. O'Brien questioned why the agency had not similarly frozen funds related to the alleged embezzlement at the Ayodhya temple.