Trust Officials Step Down Amid Allegations of Donation Misappropriation
In a major development linked to the alleged irregularities in donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra have resigned, reportedly taking moral responsibility in the case, according to sources.
The resignations come shortly after an FIR was registered in connection with alleged embezzlement of temple donations, triggering a high-level investigation into financial handling within the trust.
FIR Filed After SIT Findings Trigger Legal Action
The case was registered following directions from the Uttar Pradesh government, based on preliminary findings submitted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The FIR includes multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), covering charges related to criminal breach of trust, cheating and conspiracy.
Several individuals have been named in the FIR, including Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav, Manish Yadav, and others allegedly connected to the handling of donations.
Allegations of Misuse of Temple Donations
The controversy began after allegations surfaced that a portion of donations collected for the Ram Mandir construction may have been misappropriated. Former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey had earlier claimed that between ₹7 crore and ₹7.5 crore in offerings were involved in irregular transactions.
Following these allegations, the state government formed a three-member SIT on June 14 to examine the matter after a request from the temple trust itself.
Political Reactions and Government Stand
The issue has also sparked strong political reactions. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticised opposition parties for raising questions over the matter, accusing them of politicising issues related to faith and Ayodhya.
He reiterated that the government had adopted a strict “zero-tolerance” approach and said action would follow strictly based on SIT findings. The Chief Minister also emphasised that the investigation would proceed transparently and urged all sides to present evidence rather than make public accusations.
Investigation Continues
With resignations from senior trust officials and an FIR already filed, the investigation into the alleged donation irregularities is expected to deepen further. Authorities are now examining financial records, donation handling procedures, and the roles of individuals linked to the trust’s administrative and operational framework.
