The Supreme Court is set to resume hearing on Monday, 28 July 2025, a batch of petitions demanding a court-monitored investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the management of donations and offerings received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The case, which has drawn national attention, centres on transparency and accountability in the handling of funds collected for the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Bench and Petitions

According to the cause list published on the apex court's official website, the matters will be heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana. Four petitions are scheduled to be taken up together.

The petitioners include advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami, petitioner-in-person Ajay Kumar Rai, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Member of Parliament Sudhakar Singh, and the Hindu Dharma Parishad. Each petition raises overlapping concerns about the alleged mishandling of temple donations, though with varying relief sought.

What the Court Said at the Last Hearing

At the previous hearing on 20 July, the CJI Surya Kant-led bench directed the Uttar Pradesh government to consider reconstituting the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged irregularities. The court stressed that the investigation should be led by a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and brought to its 'logical conclusion.'

'The investigation must be fair and taken to its logical conclusion,' the bench said, cautioning against political interference and adding that 'courts are not a place for politics.'

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for both the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government, informed the court that a status report had been filed in a sealed cover. 'The investigation is going on. Eight persons have been arrested. I cannot divulge much at this stage,' Mehta said.

SIT Reconstitution: The Key Dispute

Mehta clarified that the original SIT was constituted only to assess the veracity of allegations and was not itself conducting the criminal investigation, which was being carried out by the police under the supervision of the Superintendent of Police. However, the bench noted that the earlier SIT had included two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and a senior IPS officer, and suggested that the ongoing criminal probe be entrusted to a reconstituted SIT led by the IPS officer already familiar with the case.

'Let there be an SIT for the ongoing investigation. It can be led by this officer because he has knowledge of the matter. Speak to the government and let the SIT be reconstituted. Whatever additional directions are required, we will do that,' the bench said.

The Uttar Pradesh government's formal position on SIT reconstitution is expected to be placed before the court at Monday's hearing.

Transparency and Record Preservation

Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for one of the petitioners, urged the court to direct preservation of all records relating to donations collected during the Ram temple's construction. He also suggested that such records be uploaded on the Trust's website so donors could verify whether their contributions had reached the temple.

The bench acknowledged the concern but noted that uploading all records online may not be practical, while directing that properly maintained records must exist wherever receipts had been issued. Mehta assured the court that all relevant records, including CCTV footage and digital evidence, are being preserved.

Background and Relief Sought

The Supreme Court had first issued notice in this batch of petitions on 13 July, directing the UP-constituted SIT to submit a detailed status report including particulars of its composition. That report was subsequently filed in a sealed cover.

Among the specific reliefs sought: RJD MP Sudhakar Singh's petition asks for the transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under direct Supreme Court monitoring, along with a temporary court-monitored oversight committee, a comprehensive forensic audit, and publication of audited financial statements and donation logs on the Trust's official website. Goswami's petition focuses on record preservation and greater administrative transparency.

The outcome of Monday's hearing is expected to clarify whether the Uttar Pradesh government will comply with the court's suggestion on SIT reconstitution — a decision that could shape the pace and independence of the probe going forward.