Amid the ongoing embezzlement controversy at the Ayodhya temple, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has approved the resignation of its General Secretary, Champat Rai. This move indicates a shift towards a more decisive stance in addressing the donation scandal. The Trust members convened for a three-hour meeting on Monday.
Champat Rai, along with trustee Anil Mishra, tendered their resignations following the uproar over the alleged misappropriation of temple funds. Although Champat Rai was not implicated in any FIR related to the theft, his resignation has been viewed as an initial step towards establishing accountability for the irregularities that occurred under his supervision.
The Trust has reportedly accepted Champat Rai’s resignation and appointed a successor. The transition in leadership comes at a critical juncture as the temple trust faces heightened scrutiny for financial discrepancies in donation management. Both the police and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) are conducting separate inquiries into the matter.
The SIT recently submitted its preliminary findings, revealing significant breaches in cash handling procedures by the counting staff. These lapses, including bypassing CCTV surveillance, led to an alleged misappropriation of devotees’ contributions amounting to Rs 7-8 crore. Several individuals, including Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav, who previously worked as Champat Rai’s driver, have been arrested in connection with the theft.
The Opposition has raised concerns about potential involvement of influential figures in the embezzlement scheme, suggesting that such large-scale malpractice could not have occurred without the complicity of senior members. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has pledged decisive action against those responsible for the financial irregularities.
