“State Requires to be Transparent”: Sr Advocate Ravi Shankar Jandhyala’s Strong Pitch in Ram Temple Donations Theft Case

105 Instances of Unauthorised Cash Removal Caught on CCTV: SC Notes SIT Report as Ravi Shankar Jandhyala Demands Transparency in Ram Mandir Donation Case

Ram Temple Donation Scam: When Senior Advocate Ravi Shankar Jandhyala Sought SIT Report, CJI Surya Kant-Led Bench Revealed Shocking CCTV Findings

The Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday took note of a status report filed by the Uttar Pradesh Government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the high-profile Ram Temple donations misappropriation case, revealing 105 instances of unauthorised currency removal captured on CCTV footage.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh Government, informed the apex court that the probe has been “substantially concluded” and that a chargesheet will be filed before the jurisdictional Additional Sessions Judge on or before September 25, 2026.

The matter took a significant turn when Senior Advocate Ravi Shankar Jandhyala, appearing for petitioner Ajay Kumar Rai, sought a copy of the SIT status report to ensure full transparency in the investigation.

“The State requires to be transparent,” Mr. Jandhyala submitted before the Bench, pressing for disclosure of the SIT findings.

Responding to his submission, the Bench said the contents of the documents were summarised and covered in the judicial order itself. Reading out from the status report, the CJI-led Bench observed that the SIT investigation was banked extensively on CCTV footage to identify the accused persons, along with recoveries, forensic examinations and audits.

The Court noted that the primary offences include criminal breach of trust and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and that further investigation would continue under Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

While observing that it did not want to intervene in the jurisdiction of the Sessions Court, the Bench directed the State Government to file a copy of the chargesheet before the apex court as well.

The next hearing is scheduled for November 2.