Nirmohi Akhara seeks Supreme Court order to reconstitute Ram Temple Trust

The Nirmohi Akhara has approached the Supreme Court requesting fresh directions to ensure the complete implementation of the Constitution Bench’s Ayodhya judgment delivered on November 9, 2019. In a miscellaneous application filed in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, the Akhara contends that the spirit of the apex court’s verdict has not been fully realised, particularly regarding its role and representation in the management of the Ram Temple. The application was submitted by Shri Panch Ramanandi Nirmohi Akhara through its Sarpanch, Mahant Raja Ramchandracharya Ateet Guru Mahant Raghunath Dasji Maharaj, seeking directions for the faithful execution of the 2019 judgment. It argues that although the Central Government established the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following the Supreme Court’s orders, the government’s scheme did not grant the “appropriate role” and “appropriate representation” to the Nirmohi Akhara as envisaged in the judgment. Citing paragraphs 804 and 805(4) of the Constitution Bench decision, the Akhara stated that the Supreme Court had specifically directed an appropriate role in the temple’s management and suitable representation in the trust be accorded to the Nirmohi Akhara due to its historical presence at the disputed site. According to the application, these directives remain unfulfilled despite the passage of several years. The plea alleges that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has, in effect, operated as a “private trust” lacking sufficient statutory oversight or accountability. It argues that the current structure contravenes the spirit of the Supreme Court’s judgment and requests reconstitution of the trust as a public body with structural safeguards and enhanced transparency. The Akhara further maintains it has not received meaningful representation within the trust. It asserts that the nomination of a single individual by the Central Government does not constitute representation of the Nirmohi Akhara, as its long-established Panchayati system selects representatives collectively through the Panchayat rather than by unilateral government appointment. In addition to representation on the trust, the application seeks formal recognition of the Akhara’s traditional role in supervising religious rituals, sewa, bhog, puja, and other ceremonies at the Ram Temple. It submits that these religious practices should continue in accordance with the centuries-old Ramanandi traditions historically upheld by the Nirmohi Akhara. The plea refers to recent allegations concerning the handling of donations and valuables at the Ram Temple, indicating that the controversy underscores the necessity for greater accountability in the trust’s functioning. It notes the constitution of a Special Investigation Team by the Uttar Pradesh Government, resignations of certain trustees, and arrests connected with the trust’s financial management to argue that stronger institutional safeguards are required. These claims have been made before the court but have not been adjudicated by the Supreme Court. Significantly, the application challenges the replacement of the original deities, asserting that the trust was authorised solely to administer the temple and not to substitute the original idols recognised during the Ayodhya litigation. It seeks restoration of the original deities to the sanctum sanctorum or, alternatively, their return to the applicant. Ultimately, the Nirmohi Akhara asks the Supreme Court for several directives, including reconstituting the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as a public trust, ensuring adequate representation of the Akhara on the Board of Trustees, recognising its role in religious affairs, establishing guiding principles for trustee appointments, restoring the original deities, appointing an independent committee to examine the judgment’s implementation, and conducting a forensic audit of the trust’s financial and property-related transactions.