A view of the Ram Mandir, in Ayodhya.
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A Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, on Monday (July 20, 2026), heard a batch of pleas seeking a fair and time-bound investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The court suggested that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) be set up to investigate the case and advised Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Uttar Pradesh, to consult with Uttar Pradesh DGP about it. The court also said that it would read the probe report submitted by Uttar Pradesh police and posted the case for further hearing. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, during the hearing, objected to the multiplicity of petitions regarding the case in Supreme Court.During the hearing, SG Mehta said that a status report of the investigation has been filed and eight people were arrested. The alleged theft of donations offered at the Ram temple surfaced in the first week of June and has so far led to the arrest of eight persons and the resignation of two senior functionaries from the Trust. Follow LIVE updates hereJuly 20, 2026 15:42 Supreme Court suggests setting up SIT to investigate the caseThe Bench says it would read the status report and posts the case for further hearing.The Bench suggests setting up a SIT to investigate the case. SG Mehta agrees. The court asks Mr. Mehta to consult with the Uttar Pradesh DGP about it.The CJI also objects to the multiplicity of the petitions in the Supreme Court.July 20, 2026 15:37 Senior advocate calls for publishing record of donations; CJI wary about false claims of donation, says inventory should be maintainedSenior advocate Devadatt Kamat suggests that there would be records of the donations made and the records should be published so that the devotees would know. He says that devotees have given silver and gold and there are reports that these have “vanished”. He adds there should be an inventory and it should be published. The CJI, however, urges for more practicality, saying that someone could falsely claim donation of diamonds, etc. But he agrees that an inventory must be maintained and accounted for.July 20, 2026 15:34 The case is a 'simple commission of an offence': CJICJI Surya Kant also cautions the petitioners not to “play politics” with the case. He calls the case as a “simple commission of an offence”.July 20, 2026 15:31 CJI Surya Kant asks if SIT is investigating the caseChief Justice of India Surya Kant asks if there is any special investigation team (SIT) investigating the case. Solicitor General clarifies that the Uttar Pradesh Police is investigating under the oversight of the SIT and the SIT is not directly investigating.The CJI says, “Please have instructions to have an SIT with the senior police officer, an IG Lucknow range, who is a member of the current SIT.”July 20, 2026 15:28 Status report of the investigation filed; eight people arrested: Solicitor GeneralSolicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Uttar Pradesh, says the status report of the investigation has been filed. Eight people arrested. Cannot divulge more in an ongoing probe.July 20, 2026 12:51 Supreme Court to hear pleas seeking probe into Ram temple donations theft row on July 20Supreme Court to hear pleas seeking probe into Ram temple donations theft row on July 20Supreme Court to hear pleas on July 20 regarding probe into alleged Ram temple donation theft and financial irregularities. Published - July 20, 2026 03:26 pm IST
