Ram Mandir trust chief Champat Rai steps down as eight arrested in donation theft case
The resignation follows mounting scrutiny after preliminary findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) reportedly flagged serious lapses in the handling and monitoring of donations offered by devotees at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
PTC News Desk: A day after eight people were arrested in connection with the Ram Mandir donation theft case, temple trust chief Champat Rai submitted his resignation. Another member of the trust Anil Mishra also tendered his resignation.
The resignation follows mounting scrutiny after preliminary findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) reportedly flagged serious lapses in the handling and monitoring of donations offered by devotees at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The first FIR in the case has already been registered on the recommendation of the SIT on the basis of complaint filed by trust member Krishna Mohan, who joined the trust in September 2025 after the death of former trustee Kameshwar Chaupal.
Hours after the case was filed, Uttar Pradesh Police arrested all eight accused named in the case.
The FIR was registered after the SIT, set up by the Uttar Pradesh government, found alleged irregularities in the handling of donations and offerings made by devotees at the Ram Temple.
How the controversy began
The Uttar Pradesh government formed the SIT on June 13 after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust sought an investigation into allegations that donations received at the Ram Temple had been misused.
The issue gained political attention on June 7 when Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav referred to reports claiming that donations worth crores of rupees were missing from the temple. He urged the courts to take notice of the matter and order an investigation.
The investigation is also looking into how donations were counted at the temple. According to sources, the counting work involved outsourced staff linked to banking operations. Investigators are checking how these workers were appointed and whether proper supervision was in place.
Officials are also examining records of gold, silver, jewellery and other valuable items donated by devotees after reported differences were found in the inventory and official records.
Political row over the donation case
The issue became a political controversy after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav referred to reports claiming that donation money was missing and called for a court-monitored investigation.
After the FIR was filed, he questioned whether only junior officials would be punished while senior people escaped responsibility.
At the same time, several leaders associated with the Ram Mandir movement also demanded transparency and strict action if any wrongdoing is proven. They said the faith and trust of millions of devotees in the temple must be protected.