Include forensic auditor in Ram Temple SIT, SC tells U.P.

What happened

The Supreme Court asked the Uttar Pradesh government to associate an independent forensic auditor with the reconstituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating alleged theft or misappropriation of donations linked to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple trust. During a hearing of petitions seeking an independent probe into alleged financial irregularities, a three-judge Bench led by the Chief Justice directed the SIT to file a status report within two weeks on investigation progress.

The Supreme Court noted that the investigation relates to allegations of misuse of trust funds and agreed that forensic auditing expertise should be part of the investigative process. The Court directed that an eminent independent chartered accountant with forensic auditing expertise be added to the SIT.

The Uttar Pradesh government’s counsel said a four-member SIT headed by IGP Kiran S. had been constituted. The Bench questioned whether an earlier SIT—which had uncovered prima facie evidence—should oversee the investigation. The Bench clarified that IGP Kiran would head the probe, and the reconstituted team would include other police officials. The Bench declined, at this stage, to order additional transparency measures sought by petitioners, including uploading donation receipt details on the trust’s website, and instead directed the SIT to first complete its inquiry.

Background and earlier position

Petitions before the Supreme Court sought an independent investigation into alleged financial irregularities connected to donations linked to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple trust. The Supreme Court proceedings indicate that an earlier SIT had found prima facie evidence related to the allegations, which led to a dispute over whether the earlier SIT should continue to oversee the investigation or whether the reconstituted SIT should take charge.