(Photo) Courtesy : National Herald
New Delhi, Aug. 17: The Supreme Court on Monday permitted the petitioners and other bona fide public-spirited persons to suggest aspects requiring investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of offerings made by devotees at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The Court directed that such suggestions be submitted to the office of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for being forwarded to the SIT, which would objectively consider them, while making it clear that the investigation team was accountable to the apex court and would first submit its status report to it in a sealed cover.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana said it had no reason to doubt that suggestions received from bona fide persons on aspects requiring a thorough investigation would be objectively considered by the SIT.
The bench further said the SIT, which includes a forensic auditor inducted on the directions of the Supreme Court, would submit its status report directly to the Court. The report would first be perused by the bench, which would thereafter consider whether it should be shared with the petitioners before it.
During the hearing, counsel for one of the petitioners sought access to the investigation material, contending that it was necessary to effectively assist the Court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the request, maintaining that material relating to an ongoing investigation could not be shared with persons unconnected with the probe.
The petitioner’s counsel objected to this, submitting that the petition had been moved on behalf of the people of India and asserting a fundamental right to know about the investigation.
The Court was also informed that while the proceedings were pending, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had publicly referred to findings of the SIT.
CJI Kant indicated that the Court remained open to issuing further directions if any shortcomings emerged in the investigation. If the SIT was carrying out its task satisfactorily, no intervention might be necessary, but if there was any deficiency or a need for “qualitative improvement”, additional directions could be issued, he observed.
As the SIT investigation is continuing, the bench adjourned the matter for further consideration.
The Supreme Court is monitoring the investigation while hearing three petitions concerning alleged misappropriation and diversion of offerings and donations made by devotees at the Ram Temple.
The petitions have, among other reliefs, sought a CBI investigation under the supervision of the apex court, preservation of physical, electronic and financial records, and greater oversight and transparency in the handling of donations.
The Court has, for the present, allowed the Uttar Pradesh government-constituted SIT, headed by Inspector General of Police Kiran S., to continue the investigation, with the addition of a forensic auditor. Its immediate emphasis has remained on ensuring a fair and expeditious investigation, while questions concerning further transparency measures are to be considered after the SIT places its report before the Court.
Pramod kumar is a Senior Journalist, Covering Supreem Court of India
