The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has defended former General Secretary Champat Rai in the Ram Temple donation theft case, even as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues its probe. The Trust accepted the resignations of Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra during a high-level meeting that lasted nearly five hours in Ayodhya.
After the meeting, Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri said Champat Rai had no connection with the alleged theft. He described Rai as “untainted” and said Rai resigned on moral grounds to allow a fair investigation. The Trust also appointed Krishna Mohan as interim General Secretary. According to the Trust’s constitution, any resignation takes effect automatically, and there is no rule to reject or withdraw it.
Clean Chit Before Probe Ends Raises Questions
The Trust’s remarks have triggered fresh questions because the SIT has not yet submitted its final report. Critics have asked why the Trust publicly defended Champat Rai before investigators completed the probe. They have also questioned why the Trust held a special meeting if resignations become effective automatically under its own rules.
Questions have also surfaced about the role of senior office-bearers in overseeing the handling of donations. Observers have asked whether the Treasurer should have known about the alleged theft and whether top officials should also face scrutiny for possible administrative lapses.
Missing Donation Claims Add to Controversy
The controversy has also revived claims made by the family of former Union Home Secretary Laxmi Narayan. They alleged that they donated a gold-plated Ramcharitmanas worth around ₹5 crore but never received a receipt. They also claimed the item later went missing from the sanctum. The Trust has rejected the allegation and said the Ramcharitmanas remains safe in a secure jewellery vault inside the temple complex.
The Trust further said it has recorded all 2,926 categories of physical offerings in official registers. It added that an independent chartered accountancy firm conducts annual physical verification, and devotees can inspect the records after taking prior permission.
Also Read: Ram Temple Donation Theft Row: RTI Reveals Trust Is Not Accountable to Centre or UP Government
SIT Names Six Suspects
The SIT’s interim report has identified six people with prima facie involvement in the alleged theft. Investigators said they found CCTV footage and financial transaction records linking the accused to the case. The report also claimed officials failed to enforce biometric attendance, dress code rules, restrictions on personal belongings, and daily reporting procedures.
The probe also alleges that key accused Avinash Shukla bought a house and a car with stolen money and gifted an iPhone worth around ₹2 lakh to his girlfriend. The report further states that senior Trust functionary Anil Mishra knew about weaknesses in the security and search system but did not take effective corrective action before submitting his resignation.
