Ram Temple Theft Case: Supreme Court Calls for Reconstituting SIT, Warns Against Politics

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday suggested reforming the Uttar Pradesh government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged donation embezzlement at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, stating that a senior, experienced Indian Police Service (IPS) officer should lead the full-scale investigation.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant explained that the initial SIT was only assigned to submit a preliminary report, making a fresh team necessary for a thorough probe.

What was found in the preliminary investigation?

The remark followed a submission by the Solicitor General, representing the UP government, who noted that the initial SIT was set up to verify the allegations and found that a cognizable offense had occurred. In response, the court pointed out that the original team included the Lucknow Inspector General of Police alongside two senior IAS officers, questioning whether a dedicated team led by an experienced IPS officer would better guarantee fairness and transparency.

What warning did the supreme court issue to political parties?

The bench, which also included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, cautioned against politicizing the case, characterizing it as a straightforward criminal investigation. "Just a word of caution. Please don't politicise the issue. The courts are not a place for politics... We are here just to ensure a proper investigation," CJI Kant remarked.

While no final orders were issued, the court scheduled the next hearing for July 27.

What are the next steps in the case?

The court’s observations came a day after the SIT handed over its status report in a sealed envelope. The bench had requested the report during a July 13 hearing, when it also issued a notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust regarding petitions demanding a complete inquiry.