Ram Temple Trust Accepts Champat Rai’s Resignation Amid Donation Theft Row

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has accepted the resignation of its general secretary, Champat Rai, along with that of trustee Anil Mishra, following weeks of controversy over an alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Decision Taken At Key Trust Meeting

The decision came at a crucial executive committee meeting held on Monday, July 6, at the Ram Temple complex in Ayodhya. The meeting, convened by Trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri with the approval of Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, was originally scheduled for Mani Ram Das Chhavni but was shifted to the temple premises over security and privacy concerns.

Under the Trust deed, a resignation can only be accepted with the support of a two thirds majority of the Trust's members, making the attendance and participation of senior trustees, several of whom are elderly, a key factor going into the meeting. Who Is Champat Rai and Why Did He Resign as General Secretary of Ram Mandir Trust?

Background To The Resignations

Rai and Mishra had first submitted their resignations on June 26, taking moral responsibility after an FIR was registered in connection with the alleged theft of donations offered at the temple. The Trust had confirmed receipt of both resignation letters on June 27, while noting that all donated silver bricks, ornaments, and other offerings remained safe and properly accounted for. Champat Rai, Anil Mishra Resign From Ram Mandir Trust Amid Donation Controversy.

Since then, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government has arrested eight people in the case, including an aide of Rai, and recovered nearly INR 80 lakh in cash allegedly hidden in unusual locations, including bathrooms, haystacks, and cow dung cakes. Statements of Rai, Mishra, and special invitee Gopal Rao have been recorded by both the SIT and police, though no FIR has been registered against the three individually so far.

Ram Mandir Trust Membership To Continue

Even with the resignation accepted, Rai's association with the Trust is not expected to end entirely. Under the Trust's bylaws, office bearers can step down from their official responsibilities, such as the post of general secretary, while continuing as lifetime members of the Trust, unless other provisions apply.

Wider Fallout And Fresh Allegations

The controversy has widened in recent days with fresh allegations concerning a gold plated copy of the Ramcharitmanas, reportedly worth around INR 5 crore, which a donor has claimed is missing from the temple. The donor has also alleged an unsatisfactory response from Rai when questioned about the matter.

The episode has drawn political attention as well, with opposition leaders demanding accountability and questioning the Trust's transparency, while the ruling party has accused rivals of trying to gain political mileage from a matter tied to religious sentiment. Concerns over transparency have also reached Parliament, with a Rajya Sabha member questioning the Centre's position that the Trust falls outside the ambit of the Right to Information Act.

What Happens Next

With Rai's resignation now accepted, discussions are expected to turn to the Trust's future administrative structure, including a possible move toward more professional management and the potential appointment of a chief executive officer. The Trust's meeting also took up the SIT's interim findings and the unaudited financial statements for the 2025-26 financial year.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 06, 2026 04:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).