Supreme Court Defers Probe Into Ram Temple Trust Funds

The Supreme Court of India declined an oral request on June 25, 2026, to urgently list a public interest litigation seeking a court-monitored probe into financial irregularities at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The court directed petitioners Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav to mention the matter again on June 29.

The petition seeks the registration of a First Information Report and the appointment of a Special Investigation Team led by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Petitioners argue that the current investigation conducted by the Uttar Pradesh government relies on administrative officers who lack criminal investigation expertise.

The controversy stems from allegations by former MLA Pawan Pandey that between 7 crore and 7.5 crore rupees in donations were misappropriated. In response, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member Special Investigation Team, which submitted a confidential preliminary report on June 23 recommending administrative reforms and the appointment of a chief executive officer to increase transparency.

Alok Kumar, International President of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, has demanded the use of fast-track courts to punish culprits within four months. While opposition parties from the Samajwadi Party, AAP, and Congress have called for a CBI and Enforcement Directorate probe, Kumar dismissed these demands as political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.