The Supreme Court took note of the latest status report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations concerning unauthorised removal and suspected misappropriation of offerings and donations received at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.
A bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana recorded that the investigation had substantially progressed and that the SIT proposed to file its police report or chargesheet by September 25, 2026.
The case was registered on June 25, 2026, at Police Station Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya, against eight accused persons. The investigation involved examination of CCTV footage, witness statements, financial and banking records, property documents, mobile data, call records, forensic material and other evidence.
The SIT was constituted under the Supreme Court's orders to supervise the investigation. A forensic auditor, ASA & Associates LLP, was also associated with the probe to examine financial records, valuable articles, CCTV footage, mobile data and the procedures followed for receiving, accounting for and depositing donations.
The Court recorded that CCTV footage from the counting room in the PFC building and other digital material had been examined in detail.
“That examination has revealed 105 instances of unauthorized currency removal or concealment from the counting room, involving assistance from other individuals participating in the counting process.”
According to the status report, the SIT identified eight accused persons and examined the alleged roles attributed to them. The report also contained details concerning unexplained deposits in their bank accounts, assets allegedly linked to the suspected proceeds and recovery efforts undertaken during the investigation.
The SIT verified receipts generated through TCS software for 803 valuable articles and physically checked the State Bank of India locker where they were stored. The Court recorded that no discrepancies were found in respect of these 803 articles. Another 86 valuable articles, for which receipts had not been issued, were separately identified and physically verified.
The SIT also examined records concerning approximately 944.411 kilograms of white metal stated to be silver, which had been sent for melting. Allegations concerning certain silver donations, a silver necklace, Charan Paduka and a donation relating to the Ramcharitmanas were also examined. The Court recorded that no discrepancies were identified during that verification.
The status report stated that statements of 173 witnesses had been recorded by September 14, including Trust officials, accounting personnel, banking officials, security personnel, CCTV operators, Chartered Accountants and vendors.
The Supreme Court recorded that the investigation was substantially complete and that the SIT would file the chargesheet under Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The Court was informed that the chargesheet was expected to be filed on or before September 25.
The Court directed that a copy of the chargesheet be provided to it after filing. It also permitted petitions or public-spirited individuals to highlight issues requiring the SIT's attention before the competent court, in accordance with Section 193(9) of the BNSS.
The matters were posted for further consideration on November 2, 2026.
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