The Supreme Court in New Delhi is hearing a petition today seeking a CBI-led investigation into alleged misappropriation of Ram temple donations [1].
The case centers on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and whether funds provided by devotees were handled with transparency. Because the temple is a site of immense national and religious significance, allegations of embezzlement could trigger widespread public outcry and legal challenges regarding the management of sacred offerings.
Petitioner Mohit Ashok filed a Public Interest Litigation on June 22, 2026 [3]. The petition requests the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and the establishment of a CBI-led special investigation team to look into trust irregularities [3]. The petitioner said there has been misuse and embezzlement of the offerings made by devotees to the temple in Ayodhya [1], [2].
The legal process accelerated recently after the court asked the petitioner to mention his plea on June 29, 2026 [2]. This led to the hearing scheduled for July 6, 2026 [1].
While some reports mentioned the hearing in the context of an "Ayodhya Chanda theft case," the primary legal filings are situated within the Supreme Court in New Delhi [1], [4]. The core of the dispute involves the alleged irregularities in the handling of donations, specifically how the funds were recorded and spent by the trust [4], [5].
The petitioner said he seeks a high-level probe to ensure that all contributions are accounted for, and that any individuals responsible for misappropriating funds are held legally accountable [3], [5].
“The petition requests the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and the establishment of a CBI-led special investigation team.”
This legal challenge tests the accountability of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages one of the most high-profile religious projects in India. If the Supreme Court grants the request for a CBI probe, it would signal a judicial willingness to scrutinize the financial transparency of trust-led religious institutions, potentially setting a precedent for how large-scale public donations are audited in India.
