A Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Supreme Court seeking a Court-monitored investigation into the financial affairs of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Filed through Advocate Satyam Singh Rajput and Advocate-on-Record Jaswanthi A on behalf of Member of Parliament from Buxar, Sudhakar Singh, the petition sought transfer of the ongoing investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing recent allegations of financial irregularities, an ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, and the reported recovery of a cash trail amounting to Rs 77 lakh.
The petitioner contended that he did not seek to interfere with religious practices, temple rituals or matters of faith. Instead, the plea was confined to the secular and administrative aspects of the Trust’s financial management, with the objective of ensuring transparency, accountability and protection of public donations.
The petitioner sought transfer of the ongoing investigation from the State Police to the CBI under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, alleging that an independent probe was necessary to inspire public confidence and ensure a fair, impartial and credible investigation into the alleged financial irregularities.
He further sought the constitution of a temporary Court-monitored Oversight Committee comprising retired judicial officers and financial experts to supervise the Trust’s secular financial administration during the pendency of the investigation.
The RJD MP prayed that the Trust be restrained from undertaking major financial or administrative decisions, including utilisation of Trust funds, award of substantial contracts, creation of third-party rights, investments, alienation of Trust assets and appointments to key administrative posts, without the prior approval of the proposed Oversight Committee pending completion of the probe.
The PIL further sought directions for preservation of all financial records, including physical documents, digital ledgers, UPI transaction logs, bank statements and other electronic records, to prevent any alleged tampering with evidence during the investigation.
In addition, the petitioner sought a comprehensive forensic audit of the Trust’s accounts, donations, offerings, bank transactions, assets and financial records by an independent agency of unquestionable credibility. It has been prayed that the audit report be placed before the Supreme Court for appropriate consideration.
The petition further sought directions to the Trust to publish audited financial statements, details of donations received, utilisation of funds and other financial information on its official website in the interest of public transparency, while ensuring that confidential or sensitive donor information remains protected.
The petitioner also requested the Supreme Court to direct the Trust to place on record a complete statement of all donations and contributions received since its constitution. This would include cash donations, bank transfers, digital payments, foreign contributions, donations in kind, gold, silver and other valuables, along with details regarding their accounting, custody and utilisation.
As an interim measure, the PIL sought ex parte ad interim relief constituting the proposed Oversight Committee and restraining the Trust from taking any significant financial, administrative or policy decisions until completion of the investigation or until further orders of the Court.
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