Champat Rai Resigns as Ram Temple Trust Secretary Amid Donation Theft Row

Champat Rai, the influential General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, stepped down from his position on moral grounds in late June 2026, a move that was officially accepted by the Trust on July 6, 2026. His resignation, along with that of trustee Anil Mishra, came amid a swirling controversy over alleged embezzlement and theft of donations made by devotees to the newly consecrated Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The 'donation row' began to intensify in early June 2026, with local media reports highlighting alleged irregularities in the accounting of donations. This swiftly escalated into a national issue, garnering significant political attention. On June 7, the controversy entered the political arena when Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav cited media reports about missing funds and demanded judicial intervention, questioning the silence surrounding the matter. Subsequently, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13, comprising senior IAS, IPS, and Finance Department officials, to investigate the allegations. The preliminary findings of the SIT reportedly identified eight individuals involved in the alleged theft of donations, leading to their arrest. These individuals were associated with the process of counting cash and valuables at the temple. Details emerged of how cash was allegedly siphoned off, with reports even mentioning CCTV cameras being covered and cash hidden in toilets. This led to widespread public outrage and condemnation from various quarters. Champat Rai, who had been the foundational General Secretary of the Trust since its formation in February 2020 following the 2019 Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute, expressed deep pain over the situation. He stated that he felt it was inappropriate to continue in his role until justice was fully served and the culprits apprehended. His resignation was considered a moral responsibility in light of the serious allegations. The Trust's treasurer, Swami Govind Dev Giri, while defending Rai's personal integrity, affirmed that the resignations were accepted as per the Trust's constitution once submitted. Following the acceptance of resignations, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust appointed Krishna Mohan, a 74-year-old retired Indian Forest Service officer and a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office-bearer, as the interim General Secretary. Mohan, who was appointed a trustee in September 2025, has vowed to restore public confidence and ensure stringent management of donations. He had also lodged the police complaint that led to the FIR against the arrested individuals. The Trust also announced the formation of a three-member committee, comprising retired judge Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi, and trustee Suresh Haware, to select a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to oversee its day-to-day functioning and strengthen administrative and financial systems. The controversy has prompted a broader discussion on the transparency and accountability of public trusts, especially those managing significant religious endowments. The Ram Temple, built through decades of mobilization and millions of donations, holds immense spiritual and cultural significance for Hindus, making allegations of financial irregularities particularly sensitive. In response to the scandal, the Trust initiated a 10-day 'prashchit pujan' (atonement ritual) from July 17, 2026, seeking purification and forgiveness, emphasizing the need to restore the temple's sanctity and dignity. While this 'donation row' led to significant resignations, it is important to note that the Trust had faced other controversies in the past, such as allegations of inflated land purchases in 2021. However, those allegations, which were denied by Champat Rai at the time, did not result in resignations from key positions, distinguishing the current situation due to direct embezzlement allegations and arrests. The ongoing SIT investigation is expected to release its final report soon, with the Trust committed to ensuring transparency and holding those found guilty accountable.

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