Uttar Pradesh courts intervene in religious donation and fake‑case controversies

The Supreme Court on July 13 issued notices to the Indian central government and the Uttar Pradesh administration after petitions sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged embezzlement of donations received for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The court directed the state‑appointed Special Investigation Team to file a status report on the probe, with the report initially sealed, and set a further hearing for July 20.

Separately, the Allahabad High Court on July 12 asked the Uttar Pradesh government to respond to a writ petition that claims the petitioner was threatened after refusing to file a false case against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati under pressure from Ashutosh Brahmachari. The bench ordered Brahmachari to be impleaded as a respondent, directed communication with senior police officials, and scheduled the next hearing for July 16.