The SIT investigating alleged irregularities in donations received by the Ram temple trust is likely to submit an interim status report to the Supreme Court on Monday, July 20, 2026. The team may also seek additional time to complete the investigation and recommend administrative reforms.
SIT Interim Report Expected Before Supreme Court
The Special Investigation Team examining alleged embezzlement of donations received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is likely to submit an interim status report to the Supreme Court on Monday, July 20, 2026, according to sources.
The expected submission follows a Supreme Court direction asking the Uttar Pradesh government-appointed SIT to place details of its investigation on record. The court also sought information about the composition of the investigating team and issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government, the Centre and the temple trust.
Sources said the SIT may seek additional time from the Uttar Pradesh government because of the scope and sensitivity of the investigation. The team was initially given 15 days to complete the inquiry, and its deadline was subsequently extended by another 15 days. The three-member SIT was constituted on June 13, 2026, following a request from the temple trust. It includes Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S and Special Secretary for Finance Neel Ratan.
Ram Temple Probe Led to Arrests and Cash Recovery
The SIT submitted a preliminary nine-page report to the state government on June 23. An FIR was subsequently registered, eight people were arrested and investigators recovered part of the money allegedly diverted from temple donations. The allegations relate to cash donated by devotees and the systems used to collect, count, record and secure contributions at the Ayodhya temple. The trust has since introduced tighter donation-counting procedures, enhanced monitoring and additional identification and tracking measures.
Former trust general secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra reportedly resigned from their positions amid the controversy. Investigators are examining individual responsibility as well as possible weaknesses in the trust’s administrative and financial controls. The final SIT report is expected to identify accountability and recommend changes intended to prevent similar incidents. These could include stronger surveillance, clearer staff responsibilities, improved documentation and greater oversight of the donation-counting process.
Supreme Court Examines Demands for Wider Investigation
The Supreme Court is hearing petitions seeking a fair and time-bound investigation into the alleged financial irregularities. The petitioners have requested a court-monitored CBI investigation, a forensic audit and an audit of the trust’s finances by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
They have also questioned the sequence in which the inquiry began, asking how the SIT commenced its work before an FIR was registered. The petition alleges dishonest misappropriation, diversion and embezzlement of public donations intended for the construction and functioning of the Ram temple.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is scheduled to meet in Ayodhya on July 22 to review the findings available at that stage and consider corrective measures. The case will now depend on the contents of the interim report, the SIT’s expected request for additional time and the Supreme Court’s assessment of whether the existing investigation is sufficiently independent and comprehensive.
