SC notices Centre, UP govt on plea seeking probe into Ram Mandir donation misappropriation.

Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and Uttar Pradesh seeking response on pleas for an independent, court-monitored probe into the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi temple. A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana has sought a status report of the SIT probe ordered by the UP government. 

"We order the State of Uttar Pradesh's SIT to provide a status report. Post this issue for additional review on Monday of next week. The Court stated, "Please include information about SIT's composition in the status report. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the Ram Mandir, has also been asked by the court to respond to the pleas.

In addition to requesting the creation of a court-monitored oversight mechanism, the petition asks that the Trust be prohibited from making significant financial or administrative decisions—such as awarding large contracts, making investments, using Trust funds, creating third-party rights, or alienating assets—until the investigation is finished.

Additionally, it has requested directives compelling the Trust to present to the Supreme Court a comprehensive record of all donations and contributions received since its founding, including cash donations, bank transfers, digital payments, foreign contributions, and donations in kind like gold, silver, and other valuables, along with information about their accounting, custody, and use.
In the spirit of transparency, the plea also requests that the Trust post audited financial statements, donation records, and information about how monies are used on its official website, protecting private donor data as needed.