NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday in its order closed Ram Mandir donation theft case, after noting into record the submissions of Uttar Pradesh govt that the chargesheet has been filed, and said Magistrate can proceed as per law in the matter.
CJI Surya Kant-led Bench disposed of the batch of petitions concerning alleged theft of donations at Ayodhya Ram Mandir after the State informed it that the chargesheet has been filed in the SIT probe.
The bench directed the Magistrate to proceed in accordance with law, meaning that the Magistrate will apply his mind to the chargesheet, decide on taking cognizance, summoning accused and framing charges.
Noting that the element of public interest was involved in the cass, the apex court permitted the petitioners to assist the Magistrate in the same manner as victims of crime are permitted to assist criminal proceedings – ensuring watch-dog role for those who exposed alleged scam.
The court clarified that it has expressed no opinion on merits of allegations, so that neither prosecution nor defence can claim that the apex court has pre-judged the issue in any manner.
The petitioners had argued that donations running into hundreds of crores collected from devotees across India and abroad for Ram Temple construction were not properly accounted, and large portion was siphoned off by persons managing the affairs of the temple.
The Trust had denied the allegations, claiming all donations accounted and audited by private auditors.
The Supreme Court's disposal order ensures that question whether sacred donations were stolen will now be tested in criminal trial at Ayodhya, where evidence will be recorded and witnesses examined.
If chargesheet discloses commission of offences, accused will face trial for criminal breach of trust, cheating and other offences under BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita).
The Supreme Court in one of its hearings was informed that there were hundred and five instances of donation theft at the Mandir in Ayodhya and these were caught on temple CCTV.
The startling revelation was made by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in its status report filed in the top court on September 21. The status report further stated that receipts for valuable items are generated through a software and they are kept in SBI lockers.
The Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the SIT, had submitted that the investigation is largely complete and upon its completion, a chargesheet will be filed before the concerned court. This came after the court had earlier given a deadline of September 25 to file the chargesheet against the accused persons in the case.
The SC was hearing a batch of pleas seeking a court-monitored SIT probe into alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple.