SC Declines Urgent Hearing on Ram Temple Donation Probe

The Supreme Court on Monday declined an urgent hearing for a petition seeking a court-monitored, multi-agency investigation into allegations of embezzled donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The bench, comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu, stated the matter would be heard after the court resumes regular functioning following its summer break, indicating a hearing could occur after July 12.

The petition, filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, had requested the court to direct a Central Bureau of Investigation-led Special Investigation Team to conduct a time-bound probe into alleged financial irregularities involving the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The petitioners argued that electronic evidence could be compromised if the hearing was delayed. The court, however, did not find sufficient grounds for an urgent listing, advising the petitioners to formally submit a letter outlining their concerns about urgency.

This legal development occurs alongside an ongoing investigation by a state-constituted SIT in Uttar Pradesh. The probe was initiated following allegations first publicly raised on June 7 by a political leader, who claimed...