SC allows public suggestions on Ram Mandir donation theft probe

The Supreme Court on Monday permitted petitioners and public-spirited persons to submit suggestions to the Solicitor General's office regarding aspects that should be investigated by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of donations received by the Ram Mandir trust in Ayodhya. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana directed the SIT to submit a status report in a sealed cover and take the investigation to its logical conclusion.

The court said the SIT, which includes a forensic auditor, would objectively consider the suggestions forwarded by the Solicitor General. The bench observed that if the SIT is doing its job satisfactorily, it would not intervene, but if more is required, it will step in. The court also declined to entertain an application by the Nirmohi Akhara seeking to convert the trust into a public trust, saying it could file a separate petition.

Petitioners, including RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, have sought a CBI probe and a forensic audit of the trust's finances. The court had earlier taken note of the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to set up the SIT, headed by IGP Kiran S. The next step is for the SIT to file its status report, after which the court may issue directions for reforms in donation management.