The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged theft and misappropriation of offerings from donation boxes at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. The plea had also sought a CAG audit of temple donations, but the court declined to entertain it after noting that the matter is already pending before the Supreme Court.
Matter Already Before Supreme Court
A Division Bench comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjeev Shukla disposed of the PIL at the preliminary hearing stage. The court observed that when the same subject matter is already under consideration before the Supreme Court, it would not be appropriate for the High Court to entertain a parallel petition seeking similar relief.
The Bench did not express any opinion on the merits of the allegations and dismissed the petition on the ground of maintainability.
Petition Sought CBI Probe and CAG Audit
The PIL was filed by local advocate Mohit Ashok in his personal capacity. The petition sought directions for the CBI to investigate the alleged misappropriation, register a criminal case and conduct an independent probe into the allegations.
It also requested a CAG audit of cash donations, gold and silver ornaments, and other valuable offerings received at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The petitioner argued that media reports on the alleged misappropriation had hurt the religious sentiments of millions of devotees and that an impartial investigation was necessary.
No Direction Issued for Investigation
The petition named the Central Government, the Uttar Pradesh Government’s Vigilance Department, the Director of the CBI, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as respondents.
The High Court declined to issue any direction for a CBI investigation. Any further legal proceedings or final determination in the matter will depend on the outcome of the proceedings currently pending before the Supreme Court.
