The Nirmohi Akhara has approached the Supreme Court seeking a major overhaul of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, by requesting that it be reconstituted as a public trust and subjected to greater accountability and oversight.

The application has been filed in the pending Ayodhya title dispute matter, M. Siddiq (D) Through LRs v. Mahant Suresh Das & Ors., in which the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench, through its landmark 2019 judgment, awarded the disputed site to Bhagwan Shri Ram Lalla Virajman and directed the Central government to establish a trust for construction and management of the temple.

Citing recent allegations of embezzlement of donations and valuables offered by devotees, the Akhara has sought a forensic audit of all financial and property transactions undertaken by the Trust and its board of trustees. The plea contends that the Trust, as presently constituted, functions virtually as a private body exercising unchecked authority over a public religious endowment dedicated to the deity.

The application refers to the recent constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate allegations of misappropriation of temple donations. It also notes that the resignations of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Anil Mishra were accepted on July 6 amid the controversy.

The Nirmohi Akhara has alleged that despite nearly seven years having passed since the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict, the judgment has not been implemented in its true spirit. According to the plea, some members of the Trust may have indulged in corrupt practices concerning the property and assets of the deity, warranting judicial intervention.

Another significant aspect of the petition concerns the idol installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Mandir. The Akhara has argued that the consecration of a new idol in place of the original deities attached in 1950 and 1982 fundamentally alters the subject matter of the Ayodhya litigation and exceeds the authority vested in the Trust. It has therefore sought restoration of the original idols to the sanctum sanctorum.

The petition further alleges that the Akhara's sole seat on the Trust was filled through the unilateral nomination of Mahant Dinendra Das, who, according to the Akhara, was neither selected nor nominated in accordance with its established traditions and practices.

Clarifying its position, the Akhara has stated that it is not seeking to reopen or challenge the findings of the Supreme Court's 2019 Ayodhya judgment. Instead, it seeks directions to ensure faithful implementation of that verdict, including the formulation of guidelines for appointment of trustees, adequate representation to the Akhara on the Trust board, and the constitution of an independent committee to review compliance with the Court's directions.

The plea also seeks directions that all religious rituals, sewa, bhog and puja at the Ram Mandir be conducted strictly in accordance with the traditions of the Ramanandi Sampradaya.

The application has been filed by Nirmohi Akhara Sarpanch Mahant Raja Ramchandracharya, aged 102 years, through Advocate Pratibha Jain.

The matter is likely to raise important questions regarding transparency, governance and religious management of one of India's most significant religious institutions.