The Crossbill News Desk
The Supreme Court on Monday (November 2) declined to order a fresh CBI investigation into alleged misappropriation of devotees’ donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, disposing of petitions seeking an independent probe after the Uttar Pradesh government informed it that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had filed a chargesheet against eight accused.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, refused to express any opinion on the merits of the case. However, it allowed the petitioners to assist the magistrate hearing the matter, recognising the public interest involved.
“Since there is an element of public interest involved, liberty is granted to the writ petitioners to assist the ld. Magistrate on the same premise as the law enables a victim of crime to assist the court. It is however clarified, in order to ensure that no prejudice is caused, that this court has not expressed any opinion on merits,” the court’s order said, according to Live Law.
The hearing also attracted attention after the audio-video feed remained switched off for a considerable part of the proceedings, as some petitioners appeared in person.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, told the bench that the alleged misappropriation had taken place during the counting of donations. “Individuals who were counting have taken the money,” he said.
Mehta submitted that the accused had allegedly used the stolen money to purchase property and make bank deposits. The SIT investigation had traced property acquisitions reportedly financed through the misappropriated funds, according to Live Law.
Citing one sale deed, the Solicitor General said a property worth approximately Rs 50 lakh had been recorded as having been purchased for Rs 15 lakh. He argued that the remaining amount had been paid in cash using funds taken from the temple's donation-counting process.
Mehta further told the court that an audit had established that all artefacts and chadhavas (offerings) made by devotees remained intact. He argued that the alleged theft involved money handled by those assigned to count the donations.
The petitions before the Supreme Court had sought an independent, court-monitored investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the management of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The petitioners had also demanded an audit of the trust’s finances.
According to the SIT findings cited during the proceedings, investigators detected 105 instances of unauthorised cash removal from the donation-counting room at the Pilgrim Facilitation Centre (PFC) building within the temple complex. The SIT also examined the financial statements, bank accounts and movable and immovable properties of the eight accused, including assets allegedly acquired using the stolen money.
At the previous hearing on September 21, the Uttar Pradesh government had informed the court that the investigation was nearing completion and that a chargesheet would be filed within two days. The state subsequently informed the bench that the chargesheet against all eight accused had been submitted, prompting the court to dispose of the petitions seeking a CBI probe.
While allowing the petitioners to participate in the proceedings before the magistrate, Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasised that the case involved a wider public interest beyond the prosecution of the accused.
“We will now direct the court to proceed in the matter. And we will grant you people also liberty wherever necessary, to continue to assist the court…it’s not simpliciter case of an accused versus state. It’s a case where some element of public interest is also involved. Therefore, we will grant you, as the law permits victims of a crime, to assist the court,” Chief Justice said.
The Supreme Court’s order leaves the investigation and prosecution to proceed before the competent court, while permitting the petitioners to assist the magistrate in the case.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, refused to express any opinion on the merits of the case. However, it allowed the petitioners to assist the magistrate hearing the matter, recognising the public interest involved.
“Since there is an element of public interest involved, liberty is granted to the writ petitioners to assist the ld. Magistrate on the same premise as the law enables a victim of crime to assist the court. It is however clarified, in order to ensure that no prejudice is caused, that this court has not expressed any opinion on merits,” the court’s order said, according to Live Law.
The hearing also attracted attention after the audio-video feed remained switched off for a considerable part of the proceedings, as some petitioners appeared in person.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, told the bench that the alleged misappropriation had taken place during the counting of donations. “Individuals who were counting have taken the money,” he said.
Mehta submitted that the accused had allegedly used the stolen money to purchase property and make bank deposits. The SIT investigation had traced property acquisitions reportedly financed through the misappropriated funds, according to Live Law.
Citing one sale deed, the Solicitor General said a property worth approximately Rs 50 lakh had been recorded as having been purchased for Rs 15 lakh. He argued that the remaining amount had been paid in cash using funds taken from the temple's donation-counting process.
Mehta further told the court that an audit had established that all artefacts and chadhavas (offerings) made by devotees remained intact. He argued that the alleged theft involved money handled by those assigned to count the donations.
The petitions before the Supreme Court had sought an independent, court-monitored investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the management of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The petitioners had also demanded an audit of the trust’s finances.
According to the SIT findings cited during the proceedings, investigators detected 105 instances of unauthorised cash removal from the donation-counting room at the Pilgrim Facilitation Centre (PFC) building within the temple complex. The SIT also examined the financial statements, bank accounts and movable and immovable properties of the eight accused, including assets allegedly acquired using the stolen money.
At the previous hearing on September 21, the Uttar Pradesh government had informed the court that the investigation was nearing completion and that a chargesheet would be filed within two days. The state subsequently informed the bench that the chargesheet against all eight accused had been submitted, prompting the court to dispose of the petitions seeking a CBI probe.
While allowing the petitioners to participate in the proceedings before the magistrate, Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasised that the case involved a wider public interest beyond the prosecution of the accused.
“We will now direct the court to proceed in the matter. And we will grant you people also liberty wherever necessary, to continue to assist the court…it’s not simpliciter case of an accused versus state. It’s a case where some element of public interest is also involved. Therefore, we will grant you, as the law permits victims of a crime, to assist the court,” Chief Justice said.
The Supreme Court’s order leaves the investigation and prosecution to proceed before the competent court, while permitting the petitioners to assist the magistrate in the case.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment