Champat Rai Resigns Amid Allegations of Misappropriation Related to Ram Temple Donations
NEW DELHI: Champat Rai has stepped down from his position as the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. His resignation comes on moral grounds as the Trust faces serious allegations regarding the misappropriation of funds from donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as reported by ANI.
In addition to Rai, trustee Anil Mishra also resigned. The issue has escalated, leading the Uttar Pradesh government to initiate an investigation following claims that donations made by devotees have been improperly handled.
On Thursday, law enforcement arrested eight individuals linked to an FIR concerning the alleged embezzlement of temple donations. All arrested had roles in counting and managing cash and other valuables received as donations at the temple.
The FIR was filed based on a complaint by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, responding to findings from a preliminary report by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
According to PTI, the accused individuals are facing several charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which includes allegations of theft by a clerk or servant, criminal breach of trust, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy.
Police have confirmed that the arrests took place in Ayodhya, where the suspects are currently being interrogated. These alleged financial discrepancies have sparked widespread political discourse over the past two weeks.
Former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey has suggested that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in donations may have been misappropriated. In response to these allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government set up a three-member SIT on June 13, after the Trust requested an investigation into the matter.
The SIT, led by Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, has been tasked with reviewing the processes for donation collection, counting, and storage. They have also been assessing financial records and gathering statements from nearly 150 individuals linked to the temple administration.
Officials have indicated that the preliminary findings suggest a need for administrative reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability, although these full details have yet to be disclosed to the public.
A separate plea for a court-monitored investigation into the alleged financial misconduct has also surfaced before the Supreme Court. The court, however, declined an urgent request for early hearing and instructed the petitioner to raise the issue again on June 29.
The political uproar surrounding this controversy has prompted various opposition leaders to call for action. AAP MP Sanjay Singh has pushed for the dissolution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust while demanding an FIR against Champat Rai for his alleged role in the mishandling of temple donations.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the Uttar Pradesh government of shielding key individuals involved in the case, questioning the effectiveness of the SIT.
In contrast, Nripendra Misra, chairman of the Ram Temple construction committee, came to Champat Rai’s defense in an interview with TOI, asserting that Rai’s integrity, built over decades of involvement in the Ram temple movement, should not be called into question. He also recommended the appointment of a full-time CEO to manage temple operations effectively, while acknowledging that he could not guarantee the integrity of all senior office-bearers.
