Allahabad HC Refuses CBI Probe in Ram Mandir Donation Row, Citing SC Pendency

Allahabad HC Refuses CBI Probe in Ram Mandir Donation Row, Citing SC Pendency | Quick Digest
The Allahabad High Court has refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation seeking a CBI probe into alleged financial irregularities at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The court noted a similar plea is already pending before the Supreme Court, deeming the PIL non-maintainable. This follows ongoing investigations by a state-formed SIT and recent arrests in the donation theft case.

Key Highlights

  • Allahabad High Court declined PIL for CBI probe.
  • Court cited a similar matter pending before Supreme Court.
  • PIL sought CBI investigation and CAG audit of Ram Mandir funds.
  • Uttar Pradesh SIT is actively probing Ram Temple donation theft.
  • Eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft.
  • Prime accused Avinash Shukla linked to 70 theft instances.
The Allahabad High Court, specifically its Lucknow Bench, on Monday, July 6, 2026, refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged embezzlement of donation funds and valuables at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. A division bench comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla, after hearing the petition, noted that a similar plea seeking the same relief was already pending before the Supreme Court of India. This was the primary reason for the High Court's decision to not entertain the PIL, choosing not to delve into the merits of the case. The court also reportedly cautioned the petitioner, advocate Mohit Ashok, against publicizing matters before they are officially taken up for hearing. The PIL filed by advocate Mohit Ashok had requested an independent, credible, and time-bound investigation by the CBI into the alleged financial irregularities, including the misappropriation of monetary donations, gold, and silver. Additionally, the petition called for a comprehensive special forensic audit of the accounts of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). The petitioner's arguments, relying on media reports, suggested that money deposited by devotees into the temple's donation boxes had been embezzled by certain trust employees. This High Court decision comes amidst a broader controversy surrounding alleged theft and financial irregularities concerning donations to the Ram Temple. The issue gained significant public attention after allegations of misappropriation surfaced, reportedly based on a news report published by Dainik Jagran on June 8, 2026. In response to these allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government, at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13, 2026, to investigate the matter. Earlier, on June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court had already declined to grant an urgent hearing on a separate petition seeking a CBI-led multi-agency probe into the alleged embezzlement, observing that there was no immediate urgency, and the matter would be taken up after the court's summer break, scheduled for the week of July 12–17. Subsequently, on July 3, 2026, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Member of Parliament from Buxar, Sudhakar Singh, also moved the Supreme Court, filing a PIL that sought an independent probe into the Trust's finances, citing allegations of financial irregularities, the ongoing SIT investigation, and reported cash recoveries. Another plea by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav was also filed in the Supreme Court, seeking an FIR and a CBI probe, highlighting concerns over the opaque handling of funds. The state-level investigation by the SIT has been progressing. An FIR was registered on June 25, 2026, in Ayodhya following a complaint from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust. The FIR named eight individuals and unknown persons, who have since been arrested. These accused, largely contractual staff and sanitation workers involved in the donation counting process, face charges of embezzlement, fraud, criminal conspiracy, and criminal breach of trust. Police sources indicate that the accused exploited their positions within the temple's donation management system to siphon off cash offerings over a period. Avinash Shukla, a primary school teacher assigned to cash reconciliation during donation-counting sessions, has been identified by the SIT as the prime accused in the alleged racket. Investigators have reportedly found strong evidence against him, including recoveries of over Rs 20 lakh in cash, foreign currency, jewellery, and an SUV from his possession, marking the largest seizure among the accused. The SIT's preliminary findings, based on extensive CCTV footage analysis, suggest nearly 70 instances of alleged theft from the temple's counting room over approximately 40 days. As recently as July 8, 2026, a local court granted a 24-hour police remand for three more accused—Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, and Karunesh Pandey—to facilitate further interrogation based on new evidence. Total recoveries from the accused reportedly exceed Rs 79 lakh. The Faizabad/Ayodhya Bar Association has also taken a strong stance, resolving not to represent the accused and calling for a CBI inquiry themselves. This ongoing legal and investigative process highlights significant concerns regarding the transparency and accountability of donations made to the highly revered Ram Temple, a matter of considerable public and religious importance in India. The involvement of both the state police through an SIT and the High Court and Supreme Court through PILs underscores the gravity and widespread impact of the alleged irregularities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Allahabad High Court refuse the PIL for a CBI probe into the Ram Mandir donation row?

The Allahabad High Court refused to entertain the PIL because a similar plea, seeking the same relief of a CBI probe into the Ram Mandir donation row, is already pending before the Supreme Court. The High Court deemed it inappropriate to hear a matter already before the apex court.

What is the status of the investigation into the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft?

The Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13, 2026, which is actively probing the alleged donation theft. An FIR has been registered, and eight individuals, primarily contractual staff involved in donation counting, have been arrested. Avinash Shukla has been identified as the prime accused, and significant recoveries of cash and valuables have been made.

Is the Supreme Court also involved in the Ram Mandir donation row?

Yes, the Supreme Court is involved. RJD MP Sudhakar Singh filed a PIL on July 3, 2026, seeking an independent probe into the Trust's finances. Additionally, the Supreme Court had earlier, on June 29, 2026, declined an urgent hearing on another plea for a CBI probe, stating it would be heard after the court's summer break.

What did the PIL seek regarding the Ram Mandir donations?

The PIL filed by advocate Mohit Ashok sought an independent, credible, and time-bound investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged embezzlement of donation funds and valuables. It also requested a comprehensive special forensic audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

Who are the key figures accused in the Ram Mandir donation theft case?

Eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the alleged theft, including Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Manish Yadav, Luvkush Mishra, Karunesh Pandey, Rama Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, Anukalp Mishra, and Avinash Shukla. Avinash Shukla has been identified by the SIT as the prime accused.

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