Ram Temple Trust to Decide on Champat Rai's Resignation Amid Donation Scam Investigation

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will hold a crucial meeting on Monday at Mani Ram Chhawni in Ayodhya amid ongoing investigations into the alleged embezzlement of temple donations , with leadership changes, governance reforms and financial matters expected to dominate the agenda.

Trust president Nritya Gopal Das, who is hospitalised in critical condition , and senior trustee K Parasaran are likely to participate virtually. The meeting is expected to consider the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, submitted after the controversy. If accepted, the Trust may discuss a new administrative structure , including appointing a chief executive officer (CEO) .

The meeting comes as two parallel investigations continue. While a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is conducting an administrative probe, police are investigating the case following an FIR lodged on the Trust's complaint. Statements of Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao have been recorded, though no FIR has been filed against any of them .

So far, eight people have been arrested , mostly contract workers hired through an outsourcing agency who allegedly exploited the temple's donation-counting system to siphon off cash. Among them are primary school teacher Avinash Shukla , former mechanic Lavkush Mishra , retired bank employee Subhash Chandra Srivastava , and Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav , a former driver and aide of Champat Rai. Police claim to have recovered cash, foreign currency and jewellery during searches and are investigating assets allegedly disproportionate to the accused's known income.

The Trust will also review its 2025-26 unaudited financial statements and discuss measures to strengthen governance and restore public confidence.