The Supreme Court on Monday disposed of a batch of petitions seeking a court-monitored probe into alleged financial irregularities in the handling of donations and offerings received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, after the Uttar Pradesh government informed it that a charge sheet had been filed in the matter.
He further submitted that the investigation had revealed that thefts were taking place during the counting of donations and offerings at the temple. During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government, informed the CJI Kant-led Bench that the charge sheet had been filed. The petitions sought a court-monitored investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the handling of donations and offerings received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, besides preservation of donation-related records, greater transparency in accounting and a comprehensive forensic audit of the Trust’s finances. In the previous hearing, the Uttar Pradesh government had informed the Supreme Court that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged irregularities had substantially completed its investigation and would file the charge sheet within the stipulated period. Taking note of allegations concerning the alleged misappropriation of Trust funds, the apex court had also indicated that a forensic auditor should be associated with the investigation.
“Since the nature of the investigation involves alleged misappropriation of trust funds, the Solicitor General has fairly agreed that a forensic auditor shall also be associated as a member of the SIT,” the Supreme Court had recorded in its earlier order.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed the Uttar Pradesh government to reconstitute the SIT to ensure a fair, speedy and qualitative investigation into the allegations.
