The Allahabad High Court has refused to entertain two public interest litigations (PILs) seeking the constitution of a Judicial Commission and a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of financial irregularities in donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla held that the prayers sought in the petitions could not be entertained in view of the existing legal proceedings and the ongoing investigation into the matter.
One of the petitions sought the appointment of a retired Supreme Court judge to head a Judicial Commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act to examine the alleged diversion and misappropriation of devotees’ contributions. The plea also sought the constitution of a court-monitored SIT to investigate the allegations, besides directions for preserving financial records and ensuring greater transparency in the management of temple donations.
The second petition sought substantially similar reliefs, including an independent investigation into the handling of funds collected by the Trust.
The Bench observed that a petition raising comparable issues is already pending before the Supreme Court. It further noted that the Uttar Pradesh Government has constituted a Special Investigation Team to inquire into the allegations, making it inappropriate for the High Court to issue parallel directions on the same subject.
In these circumstances, the Court declined to grant the reliefs sought and disposed of the PILs, leaving it open to the petitioners to pursue remedies before the appropriate forum, if so advised.
The controversy stems from allegations regarding the alleged mismanagement and diversion of donations received for the construction and associated activities of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. While the State has already ordered an SIT investigation, parallel proceedings are also pending before the Supreme Court concerning similar allegations and requests for an independent probe.
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