Mahant Kamal Nayan Das, the successor to Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, stated that Champat Rai’s resignation as General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was not desired by anyone. Despite this, the Trust accepted Rai’s resignation amid allegations of irregularities in Ram Temple donations. The Trust also appointed Krishna Mohan as the interim General Secretary following the resignations of Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra.
The controversy surrounding the alleged irregularities in Ram Temple donations has led to significant developments within the Trust. The decision to accept the resignations of key members has sparked public debate on the management of the revered religious institution. The Trust, led by Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, took the step to uphold moral standards and facilitate a transition in leadership.
Kamal Nayan Das Ji Maharaj addressed the allegations, emphasizing that all donations, including cash and other items, were duly recorded and made available for inspection. He refuted the claims of embezzlement and expressed that neither the trustees nor the people of Ayodhya supported Champat Rai’s resignation. Another Trust member, Dinendra Das, questioned the acceptance of Champat Rai’s resignation, asserting that Rai was not at fault.
Manish Das, Mahant of Patthar Temple, described the situation as unfortunate but commended the Trust’s decision as a demonstration of accountability. He highlighted Champat Rai’s act of resigning as a responsible move, signaling a positive step towards reform within the Trust. Krishna Mohan, a new trustee, now holds interim charge following the unfolding events.
The controversy emerged prominently in June when discrepancies in donation counting were discovered, leading to a police investigation. An FIR was filed on June 25, 2026, based on a complaint by Krishna Mohan, naming eight individuals, including close associates of Champat Rai. The accused individuals, including trust employees and a retired bank official, were swiftly arrested, and further investigations, including into land deals, are ongoing.
