Petition Rejected as Supreme Court Already Addressing Similar Matter
In a significant legal development, the Allahabad High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the formation of an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged financial irregularities in the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Ayodhya. The bench, comprising Justices Rajan Roy and Manjive Shukla, ruled that the matter is already under consideration by the Supreme Court of India, thus rendering the petition before the High Court redundant.
The PIL, numbered 586 of 2026 and filed by Gandhivadi Adhivakta Vichar Manch through its convenor Sri Dileep Kumar Mishra, called for the SIT to be led by a retired High Court judge to ensure a thorough investigation into the alleged embezzlement. Petitioners were represented by advocates Sunil Kumar Singh and Indra Mani Pandey, while the State was represented by Chief Standing Counsel Shri Shailendra Kumar Singh and Standing Counsel Shri Yogesh Kumar Awasthi.
During the proceedings, the court highlighted that an analogous writ petition, registered as Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 241 of 2026, titled Ajay Kumar Rai v. Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, is pending before the Supreme Court. This petition also addresses the same grievances concerning the financial mismanagement of the Ayodhya Trust.
The bench referred to an earlier order dated July 6, 2026, where a similar PIL seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe was dismissed, citing the Supreme Court's involvement in the matter. The court emphasized the principle of judicial propriety, stating that when the apex court is already seized with the issue, it is inappropriate for another court to entertain a petition based on the same cause of action.
The dismissal underscores the court's reliance on Article 226 of the Constitution of India, which allows High Courts to refuse petitions when the Supreme Court is actively engaged with the same subject matter.
As a result, the Allahabad High Court ruled that proceeding with the current PIL would be unnecessary and possibly conflicting with the Supreme Court's jurisdiction. The petition was therefore disposed of, marking another instance where higher judicial processes take precedence in matters of national significance.
Bottom line:-
Public Interest Litigation seeking constitution of an independent Special Investigation Team for investigation into financial embezzlement of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Ayodhya dismissed on the ground that a similar matter involving the same cause of action is already pending before the Supreme Court of India.
Statutory provision(s): Article 226 of the Constitution of India
