TNI Bureau: The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh Government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on petitions seeking a CBI investigation into alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Hearing the matter, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Uttar Pradesh Government to submit a status report on the case and provide details of its composition. The Court said the investigation is still underway.

The petitions seek a CBI probe into the alleged misuse of devotees’ donations. Some petitioners have also sought a forensic audit and CAG audit of the Trust’s finances, along with preservation of financial and digital records.

The Uttar Pradesh Government had earlier ordered an SIT investigation into the allegations. An FIR was registered and eight people have been arrested so far. The matter remains under investigation.