Ram Mandir Donation Theft: Court Delivers Major Blow to Accused as Supreme Court Steps In
The ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of funds at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple has taken a dramatic turn, drawing intense scrutiny from both local anti-corruption authorities and the highest court in the country.
Judicial Custody Extended for Eight Accused
In the latest development from Ayodhya, a special anti-corruption court has extended the judicial custody of all eight individuals accused in the Ram Mandir donation theft case for an additional 14 days. The accused, including prominent suspect Avinash Shukla, were presented before the Additional District Judge via video conferencing. Following the proceedings, the court remanded them to judicial custody until July 27, marking the date for their next scheduled legal appearance.
Crucial Evidence Submitted by Investigators
This extension follows a critical submission by Investigating Officer Ashutosh Tiwari. Sources reveal that Tiwari presented a comprehensive set of documents and evidence to Ayodhya’s Anti-Corruption Court. We gathered this material during the recent remand period of three of the primary accused, strengthening the prosecution's case as the local legal framework tightens around the suspects.
Supreme Court Intervenes and Demands SIT Report
Simultaneously, the legal battle has escalated to the national stage. The Supreme Court of India issued formal notices to the Central Government, the Uttar Pradesh state government, and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohan, is seeking direct responses regarding petitions that demand an independent, court-monitored probe into the alleged misappropriation of devotee donations.
The apex court has explicitly directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT), previously formed by the Uttar Pradesh government, to submit a detailed status report by next Monday. This report must outline both the current progress of the investigation and the exact organisational composition of the SIT.
Legal Back-and-Forth Over Investigation Progress
During the high-profile hearing, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, argued against issuing a formal notice, maintaining that the state’s active SIT investigation was already robustly underway. However, the Supreme Court clarified that it is not judging the merits of the allegations at this juncture but requires absolute transparency regarding the pace and structure of the ongoing probe. The bench also casually brushed off arguments from the petitioner’s counsel concerning a perceived lack of rapid progress by the SIT, advising the legal teams to preserve their arguments for the core courtroom proceedings rather than external media narratives.
