Ram Janmabhoomi Trust Faces Resignations Amid Donation Controversy
NEW DELHI: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust announced on Saturday that it has accepted the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra. This decision comes in the wake of ongoing controversies regarding the alleged embezzlement of donations intended for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
In a statement, the trust expressed its commitment to ensuring an impartial investigation and restoring the trust of devotees. “We are shocked, deeply hurt, and extremely saddened by the incidents that have come to light in recent days at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya. As representatives of all Ram devotees and Ram sevaks serving here, we are committed to ensuring a fair investigation and restoring the confidence of devotees,” the statement noted.
The trust confirmed it has received resignations from Shri Champat Rai and Shri Anil Mishra, stating it would deliberate on these resignations in its upcoming meeting. Additionally, the trust reassured devotees that all donations made are “safe and fully accounted for.”
In its commitment to transparency, the trust specifically addressed concerns about items personally delivered by devotees, including silver bricks, jewellery, and other offerings, assuring that these assets are well-managed.
Concerning the alleged misappropriation of funds from donation boxes at the temple, the trust has filed an FIR based on preliminary findings from the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government at the request of the trust. Legal proceedings are currently underway.
This news follows Champat Rai‘s recent resignation as General Secretary of the trust, which he cited as a moral imperative amid the mounting controversy. The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated an inquiry after claims arose regarding the misallocation of devotees’ offerings.
Notably, on Thursday, eight individuals linked to the donation counting process were arrested in connection to the FIR regarding the alleged embezzlement. The FIR was lodged following a complaint by Krishna Mohan, who is a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, after recommendations from the SIT’s preliminary report.
