Former Trust General Secretary Rejects Allegations, Awaits Completion of Investigation
Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra General Secretary Champat Rai on Tuesday issued his first public statement since the controversy over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya surfaced. Addressing an open letter to devotees of Lord Ram, Rai dismissed the accusations levelled against him as unfounded and said he would respond comprehensively only after the Uttar Pradesh Special Investigation Team (SIT) submits its final findings.
Rai, who recently stepped down from his role in the temple trust, said he had intentionally refrained from making any public comments while the investigation was underway. According to him, speculation and allegations against him have continued since early June, but he chose to maintain silence in the interest of the ongoing probe.
Claims Confidential Probe Report Was Leaked
In his statement, Rai expressed concern that the SIT’s preliminary report had entered the public domain despite being intended as a confidential document. He maintained that responding before the investigation concludes would be inappropriate and reiterated his confidence that the final report would establish the facts.
Highlighting his decades-long association with public service, Rai said he had been working in Ayodhya since 1991 and has spent 45 years as a full-time pracharak. He described his public life as transparent and assured devotees that every allegation would be addressed after the investigation reaches its conclusion.
Trust Confirms Exit of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust also confirmed that Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra are no longer associated with the organisation. Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri said both resignations were formally accepted during the trust’s recent meeting, bringing clarity over their status.
The trust is expected to consider the appointment of retired Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer Krishna Mohan as the next General Secretary during its upcoming meeting scheduled for July 22.
SIT Flags Repeated Irregularities in Donation Counting
Meanwhile, the SIT’s preliminary investigation has reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting repeated irregularities during the counting of donations collected from the Ram Temple. According to the findings, CCTV footage allegedly captured employees concealing cash on several occasions between late April and early June, indicating what investigators believe could be a recurring pattern rather than isolated incidents.
The report also pointed to significant shortcomings in security procedures, including the absence of frisking for staff entering and exiting the counting room, inadequate monitoring of personal belongings, and lapses in documenting donations. Investigators further recommended a detailed financial examination after identifying cash transactions in certain employees’ bank accounts that were allegedly disproportionate to their known sources of income.
The preliminary report has identified six individuals whose alleged involvement has been established at the initial stage of the investigation. Authorities have already arrested them along with two other accused persons. The SIT has also highlighted the need for stronger internal monitoring and stricter security protocols within the temple trust while the investigation remains ongoing.
