Nirmohi Akhara moves Supreme Court for reconstituting Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, restoration of 1950 and 1982 idols

The Hindu religious denomination Nirmohi Akhara has approached the Supreme Court seeking reconstitution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, as a public trust. The petitioner also seeks a forensic audit of financial and property transactions by the trust's board of trustees and restoration of 1950 and 1982 idols installed at the site. This move follows controversy surrounding embezzlement of public donations meant for the Ram Mandir.

The Nirmohi Akhara has filed an application in the Supreme Court as part of a long-standing case, M Siddiq (D) Thr LRs v. Mahant Suresh Das & Ors, which had previously seen a five-judge Constitution Bench decide the Ayodhya title dispute in favour of Bhagwan Shri Ram Lalla Virajman. The application seeks to address concerns that the implementation of the 2019 judgment has not materialised as intended. This development is significant given the recent controversy surrounding embezzlement of public donations meant for the Ram Mandir.

The Supreme Court's decision in M Siddiq (D) Thr LRs v. Mahant Suresh Das & Ors in November 2019 directed the Central government to set up a trust for the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was established as a result, but its constitution has been questioned by the Nirmohi Akhara. The petitioner alleges that the trust has become virtually private in nature, exercising control over the property of the deity without proper oversight.

The open questions surrounding this matter include the extent to which the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has deviated from its intended purpose. The petitioner's allegations of corrupt acts and lack of transparency in financial transactions require thorough investigation. The Supreme Court will need to carefully consider these issues and ensure that the trust operates in accordance with the law and the intentions of the 2019 judgment.

The outcome of this matter has not yet been reported, and it remains to be seen how the Supreme Court will address the Nirmohi Akhara's concerns. However, one thing is clear: the reconstitution of the trust and the restoration of the idols are critical issues that require careful consideration and oversight.