New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday, November 2, disposed of petitions seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations of theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The court clarified that it had not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case and directed that the trial proceed before the local court in accordance with the law.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana took note of the Uttar Pradesh government’s submission that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had filed a chargesheet in the case.
Appearing for the state government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the SIT investigation had found that donations at the temple were allegedly misappropriated during the counting process.
Mehta further submitted that some of the accused had allegedly invested the misappropriated money in properties, while others had deposited the funds in bank accounts.
SC Allows Petitioners to Assist Judicial Magistrate
The Supreme Court directed the Judicial Magistrate to proceed with the case in accordance with the law. It also allowed the petitioners to assist the Magistrate during the proceedings, as permitted under the law.
The Bench noted that the matter involved an element of public interest and said the petitioners could assist the court in the manner allowed to victims of crime under the law.
“Since there’s an element of public interest involved, liberty is granted to the petitioners to assist the Magistrate as the law enables a victim of crime to assist the court,” the order stated.
The court made it clear that its decision to dispose of the petitions should not be treated as a finding on the allegations.
It reiterated that it had expressed no opinion on the merits of the case, leaving the matter to be considered by the Judicial Magistrate during the proceedings.
SIT Had Earlier Assured Supreme Court of Chargesheet
On September 21, the court-appointed Special Investigation Team probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya had informed the Supreme Court that it would file its first chargesheet on or before September 25.
The latest order comes after the Uttar Pradesh government placed the status of the SIT investigation before the Bench, which then disposed of the petitions seeking a CBI probe.
SC Declines Fresh Plea on Ram Temple Site
During the hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant also expressed surprise over a fresh petition seeking a review of the earlier decision delivered by a five-judge Constitution Bench in the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute.
The Solicitor General pointed out that the petition was seeking a review of the earlier judgment. Responding to the petitioner, the CJI said they could approach a civil court and file a suit.
The Supreme Court’s order does not decide the allegations of donation theft. The case will now proceed before the Judicial Magistrate in accordance with the law.