SC cautions against politicising Ayodhya Ram mandir fund probe

New Delhi , July 20 : The Supreme Court on Monday cautioned against politicising the alleged Ayodhya Ram Mandir fund embezzlement case while hearing a batch of petitions seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

 

 

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana said the matter should be treated as a criminal investigation and not as a political issue.

 

During the hearing, the Court reviewed a status report on the probe and asked the Uttar Pradesh government whether a Special Investigation Team (SIT) could be entrusted with the investigation. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Bench that an SIT had initially found a cognisable offence, following which the case was handed over to the police. The Court sought the State's response on forming an SIT with senior officers to carry out the investigation.

 

 

The petitioners, including advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, argued that the alleged diversion and embezzlement of public donations meant for the Ram Mandir require an independent, time-bound CBI investigation. They also sought directions to preserve donation receipts, financial records, bank documents, CCTV footage and other electronic evidence. The State assured the Court that all records have been preserved.