Bench: Post the matter for further consideration on Monday.
Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Row Hearing Live Updates: Hearing ends
The petition claims that the SIT lacks the necessary forensic and investigative resources for a complex financial probe. (File photo)Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Row Hearing Highlights: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Centre, Uttar Pradesh government and the Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on a batch of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged financial irregularities and embezzlement of public donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The court further directed the special investigation team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a status report.
Plea before court: The petition, filed by two advocates, names the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the state of Uttar Pradesh, and the Union of India as respondents. According to the petition, there are allegations of dishonest misappropriation, diversion, and embezzlement of public donations intended for the construction of the Ram Temple.
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A special investigation team (SIT) established by the Uttar Pradesh government is currently investigating the allegations. However, the petition claims that the SIT lacks the necessary forensic and investigative resources for a complex financial probe and that it began its inquiry without registering an FIR.
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Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Row Hearing Live Updates: Hearing begins
SG Mehta: We are here the state authorities. Notice may not be necessary, but we would be assisting,
Bench: The SIT is constituted. We are only asking you first to file a status report about your investigation.
Order: Issue notice to Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Since it is evident from the petition that some FIR has already been registered and SIT has been constituted to investigate the matter, we direct the SIT constituted by state of Uttar Pradesh to submit a status report. Post this matter for further consideration on next Monday.
Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Row Hearing Live Updates: Hearing begins
SG Tushar Mehta appears for Union of India.
Counsel: Much water has flown since I filed this petition, My Lord. SIT has constituted and several developments are there. So at this stage, because some CCTV footage, DVR records, these are perishable in nature, they may be destroyed, damaged.
Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Row Hearing Live Updates: Bench takes up the matter
Court takes up the matter
Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Row Hearing Live Updates: Court to hear matter shortly
A bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana will hear the plea shortly.
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