Ram temple trust meets to decide fate of chief Champat Rai amid donation theft row

The Ram Mandir Trust has begun a crucial meeting amid the donation theft probe, but former general secretary Champat Rai is missing from the session. Will the trust take a call on key resignations and the SIT findings?

In Short

• Ram Mandir Trust meets as Champat Rai skips crucial session
• Trust expresses faith in SIT probe into Ram Mandir donation theft
• Sources say trustees agree on removing Anil Mishra from his post

A crucial meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust began in Ayodhya on Monday with discussions centred on the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case, while former general secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra remained absent from the proceedings. The meeting is expected to decide the future of the two former office-bearers as trustees deliberate on their resignations and review the ongoing Special Investigation Team investigation.

The meeting, chaired by trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das inside the Ram Mandir complex, began at 3.30 pm. Trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri placed the agenda before the members and formally moved the proposal to consider the resignations submitted by Champat Rai and Anil Mishra.

Discussions on both resignations are currently underway, with a formal announcement expected later in the day.

TRUST DISCUSSES DONATION ROW FIRST

Before taking up the resignations, trustees began the meeting by discussing the donation theft controversy that has rocked the temple administration over the past month.

According to sources, a majority of trustees said the alleged theft had hurt the Trust's credibility, the sentiments of Ram devotees and the faith of the wider public.

Members also expressed concern over what they described as confusion and misinformation surrounding the controversy, saying it was sending the wrong message across the country.

According to sources, a majority of trustees said the alleged theft had hurt the Trust's credibility, the sentiments of Ram devotees and the faith of the wider public. Members also expressed concern over what they described as confusion and misinformation surrounding the controversy, saying it was sending the wrong message across the country.

The meeting also expressed confidence in the SIT probe being conducted by the Uttar Pradesh government.

GOVIND GIRI CALLS INCIDENT A 'BIG MISTAKE'

During the meeting, trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri expressed regret over the donation theft controversy, saying, "A very big mistake has happened."

He said the incident had hurt the faith of crores of Ram devotees and acknowledged that there had been shortcomings in the temple's systems.

According to sources present at the meeting, Govind Giri admitted that certain gaps in the arrangements were not addressed in time. He also stressed the need to strengthen the system and put safeguards in place to ensure such incidents are not repeated in future.

'PROTECTING FAITH IS OUR FIRST DUTY'

Trustee Swami Parmanand Giri also urged members to treat the controversy as a reminder of their responsibility towards devotees.

"Our first duty is to protect dharma," he told the meeting, adding that even seemingly small lapses must be taken seriously when millions of devotees place their faith in a religious institution.

According to sources, Parmanand Giri said protecting the trust and emotions of devotees should remain the highest priority. He also stressed the need for greater vigilance and accountability in the temple's administrative system to prevent similar incidents in future.

RESIGNATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION

The resignations of Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra remain the top agenda item.

Both stepped down on June 26, with trustee and treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri confirming their resignations a day later.

Discussions on the resignations continued through the meeting. Sources said trustees have broadly agreed that Anil Mishra should be removed from his position, although the decision will take effect only after the Trust completes its formal procedure. No official announcement had been made at the time of writing.

Deliberations over former general secretary Champat Rai's resignation were also continuing, with trustees yet to arrive at a formal decision.

The trust is also reviewing the SIT's preliminary report on the counting and accounting of donations received through temple donation boxes.

Besides the donation issue, trustees are discussing audit procedures for the financial year 2025-26 and other administrative matters related to the temple's functioning.

Sources said the meeting may also deliberate on possible replacements for the two posts. Bajrang Bangda and Neeraj Dauneria are among the names being discussed, although no final decision has been taken.

SENIOR MEMBERS ATTEND, OFFICIALS JOIN VIRTUALLY

While Champat Rai and Anil Mishra skipped the meeting, several trustees and senior religious leaders attended the session.

Trustee Swami Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, Yugpurush Swami Paramanand, Krishna Mohan, trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri and trustee Nripendra Mishra were among those present.

Senior advocate and trustee K Parasaran joined the meeting virtually.

Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad also participated through video conferencing instead of attending in person.

Sources said notices had earlier been issued to both Rai and Mishra, giving them an opportunity to present their side before any final decision is taken. Any decision on their resignations will require a two-thirds majority of the governing body.

FIRST TRUST MEETING INSIDE RAM MANDIR

Monday's meeting is the first to be held inside the Ram Mandir complex. Earlier meetings were conducted at Maniram Das Chhawani in Ayodhya Dham.

The shift in venue is being viewed as an effort to ensure greater confidentiality as the Trust deals with the fallout of the donation theft allegations.

Sources also said invited member and construction adviser Gopal Rao may not participate in the meeting, although there has been no official confirmation.

Swami Govind Dev Giri is expected to address the media after the meeting, likely around 5 pm. He is also scheduled to remain in Ayodhya for the next three days.

COURT SHIFTS DONATION THEFT HEARINGS TO VIDEO LINK

Meanwhile, the legal proceedings in the donation theft case have also seen a procedural change.

Following a request by Ayodhya Police, a special court hearing corruption cases has directed that the accused in the temple donation theft case be produced through video conferencing instead of being brought physically to court.

The arrangement will apply to future hearings on police custody remand, with the accused joining proceedings from Ayodhya jail. The move comes after protests by lawyers during earlier court appearances, prompting authorities to avoid transporting the accused to court.

DONATION THEFT PROBE

The controversy began after alleged irregularities in temple donations surfaced on June 7, prompting the Uttar Pradesh government to constitute a Special Investigation Team.

Based on the SIT's preliminary findings, an FIR was registered on June 25, and at least eight people associated with donation counting operations have since been arrested.

The SIT is also carrying out a wider re-audit of the Trust's accounts over the past five years, examining cash collections as well as offerings including gold, silver, jewellery and other valuables.

Officials said former trust functionaries, including Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, have already been questioned during the investigation along with temple officials.

The case has also triggered a political confrontation, with opposition parties demanding greater transparency over donations collected even before the Trust was formally constituted and seeking a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the alleged embezzlement.

- Ends